Born on July 26, 1946, in Wellsville, he was a son of Orrin and Genevieve Linza Ward. On December 23, 1972, in Friendship he married the former Barbara A. Cummins who survives.

Jerry attended Friendship Central School. He worked on the family farm until he was drafted in the United States Army Serving during the Vietnam War from 1965-67. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After his military service he worked for several jobs before going to work at the Town of Friendship as heavy equipment operator. After retirement he worked as a seasonal employee as a heavy equipment operator for the Town of Cuba.

Jerry was a member and past commander of the Friendship American Legion Post 1168 and the NYS Horse Pulling Association.

He loved horse pulls, going to the casino, gun shows, and spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren. He was always quick with a joke or a one liner to get everyone laughing.

In addition to his wife, Barb, he is survived by his children, Jodi (Patrick) Clark, Dustin Ward, Douglas (Monica) Ward, Ross (Marjory) Ward, Megan (Tony) Solomon, Amanda Ward all of Friendship, and Becky (Brian) Hicks of Richburg; his grandchildren, Maranda, Cole, Austin, Rafe, MacKenzie, Jarret, Trent, Jeremy, Joseph, Mark Jr., Zane, Claire, Piper, McKayla, Shakira, Kirsten, Kiley, and Brock; 12 great grandchildren; a brother, Robert Ward of Friendship; and a sister, Anita (Robert) Cimbricz of Salamanca.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a grandson Clayson Pangburn, three brothers Gilbert, Lawrence, and Erwin and two sisters Joanne Ward and Shirley Coombes.

Friends will be received at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull Street Cuba, on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. Military Honors accorded by members of the Friendship American Legion Post 1168 will begin at 2 P.M.

Memorials may be made to the Friendship Free Library, 44 West Main Street, Friendship, New York 14739 or to the Friendship American Legion, 29 Depot Street, Friendship, New York 14739.