Carl LaVerne Ward, 70, of rural Hooker, Oklahoma, died Oct. 23, 2023, at Wheatridge Care Park in Liberal, Kansas, following a long-fought battle with cancer.

The son of Sidney LaVerne Ward and Ada Laura Ward, he was born Feb. 18, 1953, in Watertown, South Dakota.  His family moved from Watertown to Hooker in 1967 where he attended Hooker High School and Liberal Vo-Tech graduating in 1972.

He married the love of his life, Linda Judd, on Oct. 4, 1971, and recently celebrating their 52nd wedding anniversary.

Carl was always involved in their children's activities, was known as the fun dad, and for "The World's Best Popcorn."  He owned Carl Ward's Masonry Contracting and bricked many commercial and private properties in the area. He was very proud of his signed award-winning fireplace at Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Missouri.

He was a member of Morning Star Church in Hough, Oklahoma, where his faith in God led him down a servant's path and he was a youth leader. Carl volunteered for Oklahoma/American Kids which took him into the second half of his life where he made a life-long friendship with Dr. Dale Smith. Carl and Linda owned PR Pro working with many celebrities and had a special relationship with Ed McMahon. He also worked as a theater stage manager and ran sound for many events.

Carl and Linda moved back to Hooker in 2010 and Carl devoted himself to his family, especially his grandchildren.

Carl is preceded in death by his parents, brother Dennis Ward, sister Della Johnson, sister-in-law Connie Schnabel, and his mother-in-law Louise Judd.

Survivors include his wife Linda of the home, his son Shannon and Misty Ward of Guymon, daughter Wendy and Eric Keith of Hooker, grandson Darrin Lakely and Tara of Guymon, granddaughters Aspen Ward of Guymon and Jessie Keith of Hooker, great-grandsons Hayden and Austin Lakely of Guymon, two brothers, Steven Ward of Pratt, Kansas, and Kevin and Liz Ward of Bucklin, Kansas, sister Christie and Willie Metcalf of Kiowa, Kansas, his father-in-law Roy Judd of rural Hooker, sister-in-law Lori and Rick Kraft of Hooker, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends, and exchange students.

Funeral services officiated by Dallas McGlasson will be held Friday, October 27th at 2:00 p.m. at Bunch Roberts Funeral Home chapel in Guymon with interment to follow at The Hooker Cemetery.

Friends can call on the family at the Roy Judd farm west of Hooker. In lieu of flowers donation may be made to Oklahoma Panhandle Partners or Pink Heals.  Memorials will be accepted at the Bunch - Roberts Funeral Home, PO Box 1112, Guymon, OK 73942.  Friends can sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at www.bunchroberts.com .