GREAT BEND — Jerry Malcon Ward, 85, died May 28, 2014 at  home after a long illness.
He was born May 24, 1928, at Great Bend, the son of Floyd Hancher Ward and Mabel Cleo (Cork) Ward.
He was a 1946 graduate of Great Bend Senior High School. He attended the University of Kansas, where he met and later married Norma Jean Souther on Sept. 24, 1949, in Kansas City, Mo. Jerry entered Washburn Law School in Topeka, and received his J.D. degree in 1952. He was admitted to the Bar and returned to Great Bend where he practiced law for 62 years.
He was a member of the Barton County Bar Association, the Kansas Bar Association, S.O.A.B., the American Bar Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, and was admitted to practice at the United States District Court, the Kansas Supreme Court and the U. S. Supreme Court.
Jerry was a former president of: the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce; the Great Bend Petroleum Club; Great Bend Public Library board of directors; the Great Bend Jaycees and served on the steering committee that worked to bring a community college to Barton County. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, StoneRidge Golf Club, Elks Lodge, and a former member of Rotary Club and the Masonic Lodge.
Jerry was a passionate KU sports fan, an avid reader, especially of Civil War and World War II history books, enjoyed the game of golf, traveling, sailing and being with family.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Norma; sons Martin and his wife Janet of Lawrence; Robert and his wife Sueno, St. Vincent and The Grenadines; a daughter, Dana Peters and her husband Mike, McPherson; his grandchildren, Jeremy Ward and his wife Carisa, DeSoto; Christopher Ward and Stefanie Ward, Lawrence; Brian Peters, Seattle, Wash.; Kelli Peters, Kansas City, Kan.; Stacy Peters, Overland Park; a great-grandchild, Maddox Ward, DeSoto; a niece, Tracy Swann, Glade Springs, Va.; and nephews, Thad Ward, Hays; Scott Ward, Chicago, Ill.; and Timber Ward, Greensboro, Va.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Clay Ward.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 7, 2014 at First United Methodist Church, Great Bend, with the Reverend Lennie Maxwell officiating.
Private inurnment will take place later at Great Bend Cemetery. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 6, 2014 at Bryant Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to St. Rose Foundation for the benefit of Heartland Cancer Center, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS, 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 1, 2014