J.L. Ward, Sr.

J.L. Ward, Sr., 80, of Bainbridge, Ga., passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2017.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 10, 2017, at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel. A private interment will be held at Cool Springs Cemetery.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com. Memorial donations may be made to: Cool Springs Cemetery Fund, C/O Donna Bryan, 676 Cool Springs Road, Bainbridge, GA 39819.

James LeRoy Ward was born July 20, 1936, in Bainbridge, the son of Gratten Elwood Ward and Bessie Jane Lodge Ward. He was a graduate of Bainbridge High School, Class of 1952. J. L. was the owner and operator of Ward Truck Sales since 1957.

1. L. Ward knew everybody because he never met a stranger. He could strike up a conversation about most anything, but especially loved talking about antique fire trucks. He frequented yard sales and auctions always finding a little something he needed. J. L. kept up with the happenings around town by stopping in at the Truck Stop for a cup of coffee. One thing was for sure, if you couldn’t find something you needed, you could call J. L. Ward and he knew someone who could help you.

Survivors include his sons, James L. “Jimmy” Ward, Jr. of Bainbridge and Jonathon Ward and his wife, Margie, of Tallahassee; his sister, Gerrie W. Ward; his grandchildren, James Ward III, Gratten Ward, Jon Ward and Alex Ward; and his beloved dog, Debbie. J.L. was preceded in death by his paren