Steven G. Ward

Steven Glen Ward

With gratitude for a life well lived, we share the passing of Steven Glen Ward on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, after a hard-fought, years-long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was surrounded by friends and family in his final days, listening to his favorite music, hearing stories of memories with him, and comforted by a blanket adorned by his grandchildren’s photos. Steve was 77.

Born on Oct. 5, 1947, in Moran, KS, to Helen and Glen Ward, Steve spent his early years in Bronson, KS, where he learned a life-long skill of tinkering at his dad’s Texaco station. Steve joined the Boy Scouts of America at a young age, developing a deep love for community service along the way. His childhood was rich with local adventures and memorable tales, many of which became cherished (and frequently retold) stories he delighted in sharing with his own children. Steve graduated from Bronson High School in 1965.

Steve served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, with his duties taking him around the world. Upon returning home, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Kansas State University, but it was in Kansas City that he met his future wife of nearly 50 years, Sharon. They were married on January 4, 1975, and later that year, Steve furthered his education by earning an MBA in marketing from Kansas University.

Though he often touted his first job in sales for Folger’s Coffee, Steve’s career truly flourished in the telecommunications industry. Working for companies like AT&T and Sprint, he held leadership roles in project and product management, as well as sales and marketing, until he retired in 2007.

Steve and Sharon raised their two children, Adam and Alison, in Olathe, KS. As a father, Steve found joy in sharing his wisdom, teaching his children how things worked, the value of giving back to the community, the significance of exploration and travel, and, above all, the importance of family.

Through Adam’s involvement with the Boy Scouts, Steve became an active volunteer and a founding member of Boy Scout Troop 412 in Olathe. He later served as District Commissioner and was honored with the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver Award, the highest recognition that a local Boy Scouts of America council can bestow on a volunteer leader. His dedication to scouting left a lasting legacy, inspiring countless young people to become leaders in their communities.

Steve Ward never met a stranger. To know him was to know laughter, charisma, kindness and more than your fair share of dad-joke-induced eye rolls. He led with creativity, served with passion, and loved his family, friends and community deeply.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his daughter, Alison, and son-in-law, Donovan; his grandchildren, Oliver and Theodore; and his brother, Allen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Glen, and his son, Adam.

A memorial service will be held on Jan. 4, 2025, at 1 p.m., followed by a celebration of life reception from 1:30-3 p.m., at the Olathe Christian Church, 1115 S Ridgeview Rd, Olathe, KS, 66062. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Boy Scouts of America in Steve’s honor.