Jefferson Co., TX - Obits: John C. Ward, Jr. ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: H. J. Dalton, Jr USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** Beaumont City Library 695 Pearl Street Beaumont, Texas 77701 Microfilm BEAUMONT ENTERPRISE March 30, 1933 Page 1 JOHN C. WARD, JR. FUNERAL WILL BE THIS AFTERNOON Beaumont Business Man Is Found Shot to Death in His Garage After He Had Phoned Undertaker. Funeral rites for John C. Ward, Jr., 51, whose lifeless body was found yesterday morning at 5:30 o'clock in the garage of the Ward residence, 593 Irma street, a bullet wound in the heart, will be this afternoon at 3 o'clock in the residence. Dr. J. H. Pace, pastor of First Baptist church, and Rev. J. A. Smart, Baptist minister, will officiate, and burial will be in the Magnolia Cemetery, under direction of Pipkin and Brulin. Mr. Ward, who was a native of Beaumont, and who for many years had been actively identified with the ice manufacturing industry here, phoned the Pipkin and Brulin company a few minutes after 5 o'clock yesterday morning, telling them to come to the garage in the rear of his home. His body was found there by the ambulance drivers, and a 32.20 Winchester rifle beside him. R.A. McReynolds, justice of the peace, said he would render a verdict of suicide. Attended Southwestern Mr. Ward was born her January 27, 1882, the son of the late John C. Ward and Pickie Kyle Ward. His schooling was obtained in public schools of Beaumont, Southwestern university at Georgetown, and a business college in Waco. On his return to Beaumont, he became associated with the Beaumont Ice, Light and Refrigerating company, and three years later went with J.S. & W.M. Ice company. He left this place after four years to accept a position as secretary and treasurer of the Beaumont Light and Refrigerating company. Organized Texas Ice Co. In 1919, Mr. Ward organized the Texas Ice company, incorporated with a capital stock of $60,000 and later $165,000, which he built up to one of the leading ice manufacturing concerns of the state. He resigned his position with the company about a year ago. He served at one time as vice president of the American Ice Manufacturers' association, and also chairman of the board of directors of the Southwestern Ice Manufacturers' association, and was widely known throughout the state through his business connections. He was an active member of the Rotary club, the Beaumont Club, the Beaumont Country Club, the old Neches club and the Masons. Surviving are his wife, formerly Miss Marguerite Doucette of Sour Lake, his mother; five brothers, Kyle Ward, Jack Ward, L. Ward, King Ward and Carroll Ward; and three sisters, Mrs. Seawillow Ward Stafford, Mrs. E.B. Kelso and Mrs. Hugh E. Martin. Active pallbearers will be Vernon Brock, W.M. Crook, John Spencer, Jerry Hogan, Edwin White, Tom Blewett, J.C. Harris and Tom Cruse.