According to PHCC's history book, The Heritage Unique, "His introduction of himself as simply ‘John Ward, Raleigh, North Carolina,' became his trademark, as was his presentation of a $2 bill to new acquaintances. ... Ward's name and address also were included. Ward called this his ‘calling card.'" Mr. Ward served in WWII and graduated from North Carolina State University's (NCSU) School of Engineering. He was an Honorary Elder at Hillyer Memorial Christian Church.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kate H. Ward. Also surviving are his children Susan (Sorrels), Harrison, Kenneth, and Kathy (Wall), and four grandchildren. Kate Ward has asked that memorial donations be made to a need-based scholarship fund that Mr. Ward initiated while serving as scholarship chair of the PHCC Educational Foundation. For more information, call the association at 800-533-7694.