Maurice Ward

October 28, 1928 - January 3, 2021

Maurice “Maurie” Kay Ward passed away in the comfort of his home of 56 years in Oakland, CA on January 3, 2021. Maurie embodied the phrase “joie de vivre” and his sense of humor, wit and genuine friendship will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Maurie lit up a room with his smile and his sense of humor! He never failed to remember birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions and he never showed up emptyhanded, often bringing an ordinary object that only Maurie, through his stories and charm, could transform into something magical. His family and friends meant everything to Maurie and he meant the world to us. Maurie was born on October 28, 1928 in DeWitt, Missouri on a farm belonging to his parents, Walter and Jennie Ward. He had wonderful stories of farm life in an era before many of the conveniences we take for granted now. He cherished his family and always looked forward to reunions and trips back to Missouri where he could enjoy being with family as well as the home down-cooking he loved so much. After graduating from Carrollton High School, Maurie left his hometown to attend college at the University of Central Missouri, completing his studies in 1949. Maurie served in the Air Force at Edwards Air Force Base where he made many lifelong friends and was able to pursue his interests in journalism and photography by writing for the base newspaper. In the early 1960s, Maurie settled in Oakland, CA. He had a fulfilling career with H.P. Moran & Company and he became life-long friends with his partners, Hank and Joe Moran and their families.These were happy years when Maurie traveled the West representing the company, always in a brand new Buick that he bought each year like clockwork and making friends everywhere he went. Maurie never missed an opportunity for fun, a great practical joke or said no to a silly costume! One of many high points for Maurie was the time he spent with friends in Mendocino, CA where he marched in the annual 4th of July parade dressed as the chicken-inchief, “King Kluck” of the merry band of Petaluma Chicken Pluckers, often winning first prize. During his long and active retirement, Maurie traveled the world, enjoyed the theater and live music regularly and volunteered at the Pacific Center for Human Rights. He continued to be a true blue friend to all who knew him, always ready to lend a hand, drive someone to an appointment, offer advice, listen or simply be there when needed.

Maurie is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Donald Ray Ward. Those left to cherish his memory are his brother Bill Ward and wife Karen, nieces Leigh Ann Ward, Karen Ward, Kathy Mardis (Ralph), and Marla Ward, nephews Curtis Ward, Christopher Ward and Stephen Ward, as well as many cousins, great nieces and nephews, and numerous friends who were like family, including Sammy Capurro, Catherine Ference and Chris Lyons - also known as “Team Maurie”, who helped arrange for his care in his last year. Maurie’s final resting place will be in Trotter Cemetery in Carrollton, Missouri with his parents.

“Team Maurie” would very much like to thank Rhuel Toribio and Debbie Rodriguez from Better Days Provider for the loving care they both provided to Maurie this past year.