Obituary of Mark Ward

Mark Steven Ward, 63, died Saturday, December 31, 2016 at his home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona following a battle with cancer. He leaves his wife of 42 years, Deborah (Boge) Ward; his daughter, Kristina (Gerardo) Gallo; three grandchildren, Kylee, Khloe and Gavin; brothers, Dennis, Dana, Andrew and Patrick Ward; six nephews, three nieces, one great-nephew and two great-nieces; two cousins, and many close friends. Born May 25, 1953 in Torrance, California, the son of Jerome Lemeul and Lily Viola (Shipman) Ward, he spent his first 39 years in Torrance. In 1993 the family moved to Murrieta, California. In 2015 Mark and his wife retired in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. In his early years, he caddied at Palos Verdes Country Club as well as working as a cook and janitor in the club's snack bar. After graduating from South High School in 1971, he started working at the Daily Breeze newspaper. Mark left the Daily Breeze in 1974 to be a long-haul truck driver. He returned to the Daily Breeze in 1974 working in the dispatch department. Mark met his wife, Deborah, through friends and they were married September 7th, 1974 at Calvary Baptist Church. In 1987 Mark left the Daily Breeze and started his own pool cleaning business. He kept the business through 1988 then returned to the Daily Breeze. Mark worked as a salesman, advertising layout display and production control manager. He retired from the Daily Breeze in 2002 with 25 years of accrued service. He finished his career in 2012 at Lumberjack's Oak and Pine Furniture in Temecula, California. Mark took pride in his career, but truly relished the friends he made during his time in business. Mark's passion was his family and friends. His best times were spent camping, fishing, boating, golfing, bowling, water skiing, dancing, coaching softball, and snow skiing with family and friends. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be January 28th, 2017 at the London Bridge Resort Convention Center. Services were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the Ward family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.