David Ward

Mystic - David Ward, 91, was "absent from the body and at home with the Lord" on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013. He identified with the words of the apostle Paul who said, "To live is Christ and to die is gain . . . I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far."

He was born in the present day Electric Boat parking lot opposite the south yard (then the old Dean St.) in the home of William and Florence Ward on March 21, 1922.

He attended Colonel Ledyard grammar school but was afflicted with bone TB and spent 2½ years at the Seaside Sanitarium in Waterford. In God's mercy he was healed and resumed schooling at Fitch High School and then on to graduate from New London Junior College (now Mitchell College). He transferred to Brown University as a math major but also took various philosophy courses as electives and became focused on finding Truth. He and many others became disillusioned as Truth was presented as relative and not absolute or objective - it was a subjective matter for each to decide for oneself.

In 1942, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve with the promise to finish college. However, after three semesters, he was called to active duty and to basic training in Tyler, Texas. In October, the good news came to the ex-collegians that they were to be reassigned to college campuses. The billets were filled with names from A to V leaving just a few to await further orders. With nothing to do, Dave began to think once more about Truth. He had had a strong Christian upbringing and the foundational teaching that the Bible, God's Word, is Truth and Jesus Himself said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

The momentous intellectual struggle ended with a step of faith as he embraced Jesus as his personal Savior and Lord on Oct. 31, 1943. The words of a hymn took on new meaning for him. "Years I spent in vanity and pride, caring not my Lord was crucified, knowing not it was for me, He died, on Calvary. Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan! Oh, the grace that brought it down to man! Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary."

He was sent to Purdue University to pursue studies in engineering, but three semesters later he was called to join the 63rd Infantry Division and in December 1944, he entered combat and was engaged until hostilities ended. Stationed near Rheims, he found a buddy in Jerry Couenhoven who introduced him to his sister, Elsie, the young lady who was to become his wife. They were married on July 7, 1947. Both Dave and Elsie attended Emmaus Bible School in order to equip themselves for Christian ministry. At the Groton Bible Chapel for over 50 years, they saw God at work growing the church from a handful to over 500 adults on Sunday mornings. Dave was committed to expository preaching, pastoral visitation, Bible teaching, counseling, evangelism, and discipling.

He was involved in the planting of many new churches including those in Darien and Swansea, Mass. He found time to serve on the visiting staff of Emmaus Bible College as well as to participate in bible conferences throughout this country, Canada, Mexico, and England. Camp Berea, a Christian youth camp, took up his time during the summers in the developing and overseeing of expanding programming. During time in Chicago he became aware of the Awana Youth Program and introduced that dynamic children's ministry to New England by initiating the first club at GBC.

Dave and Elsie loved to travel and their trips to England, Scotland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Bermuda, Alaska, and 25 National Parks were memorable and enriching. All of their trips provided opportunities for Christian ministry as well.

Elsie, Dave's wife of over 60 years, predeceased him in 2009.

His biological family includes four children, Joanne McCoy, Ron Ward, Barb Reed, and Craig Ward. His 17 grandchildren are Todd, Gwen, Keith, Ryan, Alaina, Tessa, Luke, Lianna, Josiah, Sapphire, Stacey, Tiffany, Nick, Noah, Micah, Hannah, and Moriah. In addition his 18 great-grandchildren are Maggie, Josh, Finn, Zach, Avery, Parker, Caleb, Devon, Ellis, Jack, Kalvin, Gabe, Desi, Judah, Micaiah, Margo, Ivy, and Ruby. They were a great joy and blessing to him over the years. Someone asked "How do you remember all the kids?" He replied, "I pray for each one of them daily." His spiritual family is multiple, only God knows.

"And when I'm feeling lonely, and when I'm feeling blue, it's such a joy to know that I'm just passing through; I'm heading home, I'm going home where I belong. And someday when I'm sleeping and death knocks on my door, I'll awake to find that I'm not homesick anymore, ‘cause I'll be home, yes, I'll be home where I belong."

There will be no calling hours, but there will be a memorial service followed by a reception at Groton Bible Chapel, 66 Toll Gate Road, Groton at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Groton Bible Chapel in memory of Dave Ward.

Please visit www.byles.com to leave a condolence, share a memory or for directions.