John S. Ward

John “Papa” Stanley Ward passed away on Thursday, February 07, 2013, in the company of his family at the age of 91. John was born in Roanoke, Virginia in 1921 and was a hockey player in school while growing up with his uncle and aunt in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was part of the “Greatest Generation,” serving twice during WWII and recalled as a reservist during the Korean War. He was Honorably Discharged from the Army in 1952. After the war, he was a farmer, rodeo photographer, and a bartender in Bugsy Siegel’s Flamingo Hotel. His lucky day came when he met his beautiful wife Guadalupe while on vacation in Veracruz, Mexico, reuniting with her in Juarez, Mexico where they married and raised a family. During the sixties, seventies, and eighties, John was a highly respected staple of the automobile business in El Paso, Texas, where he worked for several car dealerships, including Casner Imports, Sun Datsun, Sunrise Subaru, and retired from Dick Poe Motors, LP. John is survived by his wife Guadalupe of 56 years, sons Juan (Beverly), Michael (Rosa) and daughters Dr. Mara Ward and Karen G. Castro, as well as seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Thank you to Hospice of El Paso for their caring support. Visitation will be held between 5:00-9:00 pm, Monday, February 11, 2013 at Sunset Funeral Home-West with a Vigil at 7:00 pm. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net