Alan R. Ward

ALAN "KARSHOTZ" RICHARD WARD

August 22, 1951 - September 24, 2025

Valencia, Pa ~ Alan Ward, age 74, was born August 22, 1951 in Troy, NY to the late Harry Eugene and Janice Carol (Holden) Ward. Alan was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.

On September 24, 2025 Alan passed away peacefully in his sleep following an illness.

At a young age of 7, Alan bought his first camera at a yard sale for 50 cents. He bought film for it that day and a passion for photography was born. Shortly after, Alan's family moved to New Middletown, Ohio where he grew up. At the age of 12, he had found a master photographer who taught him so many things about creating portraits. By the age of 16, he was hooked.

Alan graduated from Springfield Local High School in Petersburg, Ohio with the class of 1968 and went on to enroll in the New York Institute of Photography to study Portraiture and Commercial Photography. While in New York, he worked as a photographer in a studio where he fine tuned his talent.

After graduating, he moved back to Ohio where he enrolled in more photography classes at YSU and worked in several local studios in the Youngstown area. Alan also worked at J&J Bakery in New Middletown where everyone referred to him as "Big Al". It was during that time with the bakery that he met his "honey" Debby. Although he was working at the bakery, his camera was never out of reach. In the late 70s and into 1980, Alan courted and married Debby. They went on to have two wonderful and amazing sons Alan was always willing to dote on. In the mid 80s Alan attended a management course at Kent State and in 1995 he became known to his family and friends and the people at the car shows around Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky as KARSHOTZ Photography. His sons married amazing girls who are now amazing women. Together each of them have created talented and perfect families.

Asking Alan "How's the family" could keep Alan talking for hours. Another one of his hobbies includes guns and shooting at the range with his sons. One of his favorite stories to tell is the time his sons took him to shoot a "Tommy" Gun. Although his first passion was photography, his greatest passion was his family. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by everyone that loved him.

Alan leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Debra "Debby" Kay (Mellinger) Ward, his loving sons Donovan (Cassidy) Ward of Poland, OH, and Trevor (Carrie) Ward of Valencia, PA. His dear and sweet grandchildren Ava & Asher of Poland and Graham & Lydia of Valencia. His brother Ray (Joanne) Ward of Chickasha, OK. and many nieces and nephews around the globe who always refer to him as the coolest guy.

Alan was not only preceded in death by his parents, Harry & Janice, but also by his brother Jerry Ward of Youngstown, OH, his sister Carolyn Kelpine of Paducah, KY and his sister Nancy Ward of Franklin, VT.

The family will have a celebration of life at a later date.