Paul David Ward, Sr. (MSgt. Retired)

Paul passed away on May 28, 2025, at age 90, following a long illness. He leaves behind his loving wife, Esther, family, his dog Toby and many friends. Paul was father to four sons: Paul, Jr. (deceased), John, Val (Tina), and Dwayne (Cheryl); three daughters: Sue (Dave), Shirley (Jeff), and Norma (Michael); grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was born in 1935 and raised on a family farm in Comanche, Texas, where Paul said they raised everything they needed except coffee and sugar. He enlisted in the Air Force at age 18 near the end of the Korean War and spent 22 years in military service. In addition to being a Vietnam War veteran, he was stationed around the world, including Iceland, Panama, Turkey and Hawaii.

Paul retired from the military in 1975 as a Master Sergeant and settled in Albuquerque, taking a job at Presbyterian Hospital where he met Esther in May that year. They were married in November and would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on November 22. After marrying, Paul worked in Civil Service for 20 years.

Once retired, Paul and Esther enjoyed traveling in their 5th wheel trailer and loved spending summers camping near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, where they could fish each day. They took many trips, including memorable ones to Mount Rushmore, to Hawaii for their 30th anniversary and an Alaskan cruise. Paul and Esther also enjoyed going to high-end estate sales every Thursday. They always found something to do together.

Paul was an active member of the Montgomery Street Church of Christ, serving as a Deacon and in many other roles through the years. He valued his many close church friends and thoroughly enjoyed Saturday morning breakfasts with his buddies.

At home, he and Esther took a morning walk each day with their dogs. Paul was a skillful handy man and car mechanic and could fix most things around the house. He enjoyed woodworking and working in the yard and was proud of his well-kept lawn and beautiful roses.

Paul was a strong and warm influence to many in his life and we'll miss him. If you would like to honor his life, the family appreciates donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Albuquerque Christian Children's Home.

Services will be held Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 10:00 a.m., at the Montgomery Church of Christ, 7201 Montgomery Blvd. NE. Burial to follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.