MILTON H. WARD

WARD--Milton Hawkins Milton Hawkins Ward, 79, of Kerrville, Texas passed away on October 13, 2011 in San Antonio. He was born in Lipscomb, Alabama to William Ward and Mae Ivy Smith on August 1, 1932. He married Sylvia Adele Randle on June 30, 1951 in Lipscomb, Alabama. Mr. Ward found great joy in his family, his profession and his personal development. During his career, Mr. Ward directed or was responsible for exploration, planning, development, processing, smelting, marketing and other activities in the mineral industry on six of seven continents. Mr. Ward's experience covered the world and spectrum of metals, minerals and ores ranging from A to Z, (Antimony to Zinc and Australia to Zambia). Mr. Ward's success and rise to meeting the upper ranks of management was fostered by the support of the wonderful cadre of individuals who helped him meet the challenges of the business in a creative and cost effective manner, by a desire to keep abreast of new techniques and an ability to gain the assistance of all levels of the operations that led to cost reductions and improved performance, morale and profitability. Mr. Ward relished creating and growing shareholder value of mining organizations. Mr. Ward was President, Chairman and CEO for Cypress Amax Minerals Inc. He was selected as CEO of the Year by Financial World and Wall Street Transcripts magazines. Mr. Ward was elected to the American Mining Hall of Fame, Copper Man of the Year by the New York Copper Club and the American Mining Hall of Fame. Mr. Ward received the AIME's William Saunders Gold Medal, the SME Daniel Cowen Jackling Award, National Mining Association's Distinguished Award, Distinguished Member of SME, and, numerous other industry accolades. Prior to Cyprus, Mr. Ward was President and COO with Freeport McMoRan Inc. Mr. Ward joined Freeport as Executive VP of Operations. Preceding Freeport, Mr. Ward was Vice President of Operations for Ranchers Exploration, Inc. Before Rancher's, Mr. Ward was General Manager of Homestake Mining Company's United Nuclear-Homestake Partners Mines. In addition, Mr. Ward was General Superintendent and Division Engineer for Kerr McGee Corporation. Mr. Ward's introduction to mining was as a Miner, Engineer, and Supervisor with San Manuel Copper Corporation. Mr. Ward enjoyed the structured learning and definitive goals provided by formal education. While working through the corporate ranks, Mr. Ward earned a PhD from University of London's Royal School of Mines. In addition, while working, he earned an MSc from the University of Alabama, where he was a member of the Hall of Fame and an MBA from University of New Mexico's Anderson School of Management where he was also a member of the Hall of Fame. Furthermore, Mr. Ward was awarded an Honorary PhD from the Colorado School of Mines. Prior to a life in mining, Mr. Ward earned a BSc from the University of Alabama. Mr. Ward was of humble beginnings, and he often cited the turning point in his life, as a young man, was when he joined the Boy Scouts of America. With the Scouts, Mr. Ward proved that he held the makings of success. Mr. Ward became an Eagle Scout and, later in life, was the National President of the Boy Scouts of America. In addition, Mr. Ward was with the National Academy of Sciences, Museum of Natural History, named Man of the Year for Achievement Rewards for College Scientists, was President of the New Orleans Art Museum and guided many other city, state and national; museums, universities and hospitals. Mr. Ward was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Mr. Ward is survived by his wife Adele Ward; son Jeff Ward and daughter Lisa Ward; and grandchildren Jeff Ward Jr., Francesca Ward, Hunter Ward and Austin Ward. He was preceded in death by son, Milton Ward Jr. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your local Boy Scouts of America. A private service will be held for the family in Kerrville, Texas. The family invites you to send condolences at: grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the "Send Condolences" link. Funeral services are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.