Obituary - James 'Jim' Albert Ward

January 13, 2021, James "Jim" Albert Ward, loving husband and father, passed away at Northern Montana Hospital from complications of COVID-19 at the age of 83.

Jim was born May 11, 1937, to Elzie "Mike" and Ethel (Cook) Ward in East Fairview, North Dakota. He grew up on a sugar beet farm in McKenzie County on the Montana-North Dakota border with his four sisters. He graduated from Fairview High School in Montana in 1956, where he played football and was active in FFA. After graduation, he moved to Havre.

In 1969, Jim married Judy Gorden at the San Patricio Catholic Church in Mexico City, Mexico. They welcomed their only child, Jennifer, in 1972.

Jim began his 34-year career at Triangle Telephone Cooperative in 1959. He worked his way up from installing telephones across the Hi-Line to his retirement in 1994 as telephone operations manager.

Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting and golfing. He was passionate about taking care of their large yard. Upon retirement, he and Judy spent 25 wonderful years wintering in Mesa, Arizona. He loved spending time with family and friends, and meeting up with his coffee buddies. Up until his death, he was one to never sit still and always had a project going.

Jim was active in the Havre Lions Club for the past 44 years and received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. He was a 57-year member of the Havre Eagles Club. He enjoyed serving in the Havre area with various community projects.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Ethel Ward.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Judy; daughter, Jennifer Ward of Bozeman; sisters, Betty Hegge of Williston, ND, Jean Hilderman of Scottsbluff, NE, Shirley Propp of Azle, TX, and Janice (Chuck) Jacobson of Fayetteville, NC; brother-in-law Joe Gorden of Colville, WA; and 13 nieces and nephews.

No services will be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Memorial contributions in Jim's honor may be made to the Havre Lions Club, PO Box 248, Havre, MT 59501 or to an organization/charity of one's choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Please visit Jim's online memorial page to leave a message of condolence for his family.