George William Ward

George Ward, 81, of Independence, MO passed away December 27, 2018 with his loving family by his side. Visitation will be from 2-3pm Friday, January 18, 2019 followed by a Memorial service at 3pm at Speaks Suburban Chapel. George was born on May 26, 1937, one of twelve children born to Harry and Pearl (Inman) Ward in Independence, MO. George was a member of the 1955 graduating class of William Chrisman High School and attended the University of Missouri-Rolla. In 1958 George married the love of his life, Barbara Mannering. After college, George began his mechanical engineering career. He quickly became a successful business owner. As President of Ward & Garrison Co., Inc., George was twice awarded the Boeing Eagle Award, a prestigious honor bestowed upon individuals and companies for their excellence and quality performance. George, a talented engineer, was known for “thinking outside the box”. His many accomplishments include advancing pressroom safety and automated control systems in heavy industrial manufacturing facilities. He was often called to interpret OSHA regulations as an expert in press safety. He designed and fabricated custom support equipment for industrial, medical and aerospace manufacturing facilities. One of his designs innovated a technology developed to produce hydraulic sub-assemblies installed in both commercial and military aircraft. A US Airforce captain once made it a point t shake George’s hand to let him know that it was his work that finally gave F-15 fighter pilots the ability to out maneuver Russian MIG fighter planes during the United Stated military push know as Operation Desert Storm. George’s legacy of invention and process improvement lives on. His innovation of the elastomeric tube swaging process, still considered to be the highest quality and standard by aircraft manufacturers around the world, is manufactured and sold globally by HTS Technologies Co., Inc. of Independence, MO. George was the President of the Center Stake Zion’s League, an Elder of the Community of Christ church, and served as the Pastor of the Edgewood Congregation. He was very active in sports including; swimming, skiing, racquetball, AAA baseball, basketball (greatest moment was playing on a pick-up team and beating the Graceland Yellow Jacket’s men’s basketball team) and coaching girls basketball and softball. He also enjoyed spending time at the lake with his family, fishing, traveling, slot machines, collecting tools, playing cards and Bingo. Above all else George valued God and Family and helping others. George had a strong work ethic, personal integrity, drive, determination and dedication. George will be forever missed by his loving family. Survivors include: wife of 60 years Barbara Ward; daughters Kimberly Germundson and her husband Jim and Carmen DeHart and her husband Doug Sr.; grandchildren Michael Wyman Jr., Ashley Ott, Lauren Smith and Douglas DeHart, Jr.; sisters Pearl Freeze and Ruth Ann Thomas; 4 great grandchildren; a large extended family and many friends. George is preceded in death by his parents and siblings: J. Kenneth Ward, Mary Luetzinger, Harry Ward, V. Newton Ward, Peggy Gouldsmith, Helen Adkins, Ransom Ward, Ruby Olsen and David Ward, Sr. Family would like to thank the staff of Villages of Jackson Creek for the kind care. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Heart of America Chapter in George’s memory. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com
(Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)