Joseph Edward Ward, Jr.

Joseph “Joe” E. Ward, Jr., 53, of Pensacola, FL passed away Saturday, June 28, 2025.

Joe was born on June 25, 1972, in Oakland, CA. He is the son of Sylvia Ward and Joseph Ward, Sr. Joe was a Chief Warrant Officer in the US Navy. He was a native of Pensacola, FL, graduated in 2002 from Troy State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. He joined the Navy Reserve in 2002 after 9/11 as an Intelligence Specialist. Before joining the Navy Reserves, he was a Deputy Sheriff for Santa Rosa County. He was commissioned through the Limited Duty Officer and Chief Warrant Officer Program in November 2024.

He started his Naval career at NAVO 0182 located in Stennis Space Center, MS as an imagery analyst in the Riverine division in the Warfighting Support Center. His first deployment in 2007 was with Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to Kandahar, Afghanistan assigned Special Warfare Development Group in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, as an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Tactical Controller (ITC). He was again assigned to JSOC in 2013 as an all-source analyst. In 2012 he was assigned to VFA-204 Belle Chase, New Orleans where he served as the operations and security division LCPO-as well as several other departments within the command. In 2020 he served as the J2 NCOIC for OPERATION GALLANT PHOENIX in Amman, Jordan. His last deployment in 2024 to Stuttgart, Germany where he served as the liaison officer for the West African Fusion Cell (WAFC) to the partner nations special operations forces. He is currently assigned to Naval Oceanographic Office NP2 as the Riverine division department head.

His awards include Joint Service Commendation, Joint Service Achievement, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), Naval Reserve Meritorious Service (3), and various unit and campaign awards.

Joe was an avid hunter and fisherman. He found peace in the outdoors. When he wasn’t hunting or fishing, he was in a kitchen or patio somewhere cooking for anyone and everyone, the more the merrier. He found great pleasure in feeding others. He had a heart for service. If there were anyone in need, whether it be family, friends, a sailor, or our country, he would be there with no questions, just a helping hand. But Joe’s greatest love was his boys. Jake and James and all the “adopted” friends along the way, especially Tyler, Andrew, and his godson, Jacob. His love for his boys was immeasurable. They are all he ever wanted out of life. He was so proud and honored to be their father, and they were truly the greatest accomplishments of his life.

Joe is preceded in death by his son, James Stephen Ward, and his grandparents.

He is survived by Shelia, wife of 31 years; his son, Jake; his daughter-in-law, Kyla, his mother, Sylvia Ward; his father, Joseph Ward, Sr.; his sister, Mary McCaa; his brother-in-law, Duke McCaa; his godson, Jacob Arteaga Tyler Woodward (Erin), Andrew Sherman (Andrea); his three beautiful, gifted granddaughters.

Visitation will be held from 5:00pm-7:00pm Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00pm Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at The Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel, NAS Pensacola, FL, with Fr. Pete McLaughlin celebrant.

IMPORTANT - Due to NAS Base Security protocol, for those family and friends wishing to attend the Funeral Mass, a law enforcement escorted funeral cortege will depart Olive Baptist Church - Warrington Campus, 103 W. Winthrop Ave., Pensacola, FL, at 12:30pm sharp prior to the Mass.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jake Ward, Tyler Woodward, Brian Edmonds, Zac Brought, Duke McCaa, and Andrew Sherman.

A special thank you to Uncle Marc and Debbie Ward for all of their love, support, and guidance through the years.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the USO, in Joe’s honor.