Julia Frances Holmes Ward

Julia Frances Holmes Ward went to be with Jesus on Monday, December 5, 2022. She was a resident of Gower Convalescent Center in Gower, Missouri, where she had been battling Parkinson’s Disease and dementia. Julia was born on August 15, 1936, at the family home in rural Ingham County, near Mason, Michigan to Stanley and Martha Holmes. She grew up with her sister, Anna, who was two years younger than she. Julia attended a one-room country school affectionally named the “Pink” (Elementary) School before moving to Mason where she graduated from Mason High School in 1955. She graduated from Kalamazoo College in Sault Ste. Marie in 1959 and then attended Michigan State University to prepare for teaching and guidance counseling in elementary and secondary schools. Julia served as a counselor for three years in Northville, Michigan, and later completed (along with her husband, Sam) a Master of Arts in Education from Michigan State in 1967. Upon receiving an invitation from a friend, Julia embarked on a life-changing adventure. She drove from Michigan to Alaska to seek a teaching position. Julia served as a school counselor for three years in Fairbanks, Alaska, and during her second year she met her future husband, Sam Ward, who was already a teacher at Lathrop High School teaching Math and electronics. Sam was a retired Naval aviator, that had flown in the Pacific in World War II, and spent the remainder of his Navy career in the Mediterranean and Key West, Florida. After retirement, Sam had moved to Alaska, to attend the University of Alaska – Fairbanks and earned his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. Julia and Sam married on December 18, 1971, at the Fort Wainright Chapel, in Fairbanks, Alaska. Since cars and freezing temperatures did not mix well, Sam and Julia walked the one mile to school during the winter months and got the opportunity to experience a “balmy” 71 degrees below zero one year. One of their favorite pastimes was fishing, and Julia especially enjoyed catching salmon and Dolly Varden. Benefitting from Sam’s enjoyment of hunting, the family ate wild game including moose. Although not an outdoor activity, during her leisure time, Julia enjoyed the beautiful art of tatting where she made countless doilies and bookmarks. A few years later they moved to Kodiak Island, Alaska, to teach at Kodiak High School, and Julia gave birth to their son David in the dispensary, at the United States Coast Guard Air Station – Kodiak. After retiring from teaching in 1978, the family moved to a 120-acre farm near West Plains, Missouri, where they ran a small herd of Angus-crossed beef cattle and Julia managed an extensive garden. Julia canned and preserved foods, baked bread, and made her own butter and yogurt. She and Sam kept several hives of bees and processed their own honey and maintained a small orchard of fruit trees. From the summer of 1983 to 1985, the family lived in South America, serving as support staff for Wycliffe Bible Translators, near the village of Yarinacocha, in the Peruvian jungle. Julia served as an elementary teacher while Sam repaired avionics and communications equipment for the pilots and translators. After their tenure in Peru, the family returned to farming and the country life in Missouri until Sam’s death in 2011. Sam died on September 6, 2011, at the Missouri Veteran’s Home in St. James, Missouri, at the age of 89. When Sam died, Julia moved to Rolla, Missouri, then later to Topeka, Kansas, Kirksville, Missouri, and finally to Gower, Missouri – as David’s Army career moved his family around the world – currently settling them at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Throughout her life, Julia’s life has been an example of faith in and followership of Jesus Christ. Julia’s authentic love for others showed in her church and community involvement wherever she lived. Julia consistently filled needs by teaching Sunday School and playing piano and organ at many of the churches she attended. Julia served in several women’s fellowships and organizations including the Ladies Auxiliary of Gideons International, Women’s Aglow Fellowship, and the Order of the Eastern Star. Julia’s loyalty was evident as she remained by Sam’s side during his final years – regularly visiting him and re-counting their precious years and moments together. Julia is preceded in death by her parents Stanley and Martha Holmes, her husband of nearly 40 years, Sam, and step-son James Ward. Julia was the proud and loving grandmother of three grandchildren: Katie Grace, Sarah Joy, and John David Ward. Memorials are suggested to the Wycliffe Bible Translators, cards are available at all James and Gahr locations or online at wycliffe.org/donate

Julia Frances Holmes Ward

August 15, 1936 - December 5, 2022

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Julia Frances Holmes Ward

August 15, 1936 - December 5, 2022

Obituary Notification

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information