Terry Dalton Ward

Terry Dalton Ward, 65, resident of Garner, N.C., passed away at his home on Sunday morning, January 24, 2021, as the result of pancreatic cancer. He was born in Tabor City, N.C., on October 6, 1955 to the late Lois Lynn Elliott Ward and the late Dalton Foster Ward, and at the age of three he moved to Garner with his parents. Church was very dear to him. In 1965 his parents formed the Capital Church in their basement where members and friends attended services for three years, until the chapel was built at its current location. Terry had a deep belief and faith in Jesus Christ. He served on the church board for 15 years, and because he loved children and wanted them to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, he served on the Youth Council for 12 years, taught Sunday school for 15 years, chaperoned youth retreats, coached baseball, and was a Boy Scout leader. Cathy described Terry as a strong and forgiving man, one who loved playing basketball, riding motorcycles, and taking road trips. The couple met at Falcon Camp Meeting and would have celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary in February of this year. According to Cathy’s mom, Terry and Cathy had a very strong bond, the biblical kind; they truly became one flesh. As a matter of fact, it was especially annoying to her siblings when they got together with Cathy on Sister Days because she would be on the phone with Terry. He operated Ward Framing and Capital Area Trusses for 40 years, and at the time of his death was employed by BMC of Garner. If you asked him what his greatest achievements were, he would tell you they were his son Jason, who gave him his grandson, Hunter Reid; and his daughter Kristin, who gave him his granddaughter Holland Terry, and his grandson Cash Elliott. To them he was Granddeddi and Babi. He counted family as his greatest blessings and this included his nieces and nephews. He had a deep love and respect for his parents, Dalton F. and Lois Lynn Elliott Ward. During an especially painful period of time after Daryl Dwayne Ward, their son, lost his life at the young age of 18, Terry comforted, served, and helped them in a sacrificial way. His survivors agree that there was a happy reunion in heaven when his mom, dad, brother, nephew (Michael Franklin), grandparents, aunts, and uncles who had preceded him in death met him at the Gate to welcome him. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cathy Manning Ward, his son, Jason Dwayne Ward, his daughter, Kristin Ward Jernigan (Jarrod), his grandchildren, Hunter Reid Ward, Holland Terry Jones, Cash Elliott Jones, his brother, Michael Kent Ward (Lisa), and his sister Diane Ward Blalock (Lynn). He is known as “Uncle Terry” to 29 beloved nieces and nephews. He will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved him. It was Terry’s habit to read the obituaries every morning, something he picked up from his mom and dad, just because he loved reading about people. Today it is fitting that you are reading about him. In addition to a private family service, a Celebration of Life for all of Terry’s friends will be held at a later date at The Captial Church, Garner. In lieu of flowers the family would like you to consider donating to “Chasing Michael,” 6765 Rock Service Station Rd. Raleigh, NC 27603, a project founded for his beloved nephew, Michael Franklin, who lost his battle with addiction.