Vernon Junior Ward

Vernon Junior Ward, 85, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015 at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff.

Vernon, son of the late Ben and Edna (Gaylon) Ward, was born on March 25, 1930 in Poplar Bluff. He was a member of Westwood Baptist Church and a lifetime member of the D.A.V. Vernon was employed by the Poplar Bluff Police Department in the early 1960's as a police traffic Safety Control Sargent and was a secretary and treasurer of the Southeast Missouri Peace Office Association. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a radio code operator. Vernon enjoyed photography, oil painting, operating his ham radio and being on his computer.

On Oct. 1, 1952, he married Doris Eagle in Piggott, Ark. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include his sons, Wendell Ward and Larry Ward; four grandchildren: Chris Ward, Brian Ward, Amy Ward and Robbie Ward; four great-grandchildren: Lexi Vandergriff, Scylla Ward, Stormy Ward and Jayden Ward; and one great-great-grandson, Hunter Ward.

Mr. Ward was also preceded in death by his son, Randy Ward.

A visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel with the service following at 2 p.m. Dr. Steve Proctor will officiate. Burial with full military honors will be at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery