John Michael (Jack) Ward, 85 of Cold Spring, KY, New Richmond High School’s first vocal music director, passed away on January 23, 2016.
In 1957 he was leading the Glee Club at Xavier University when he was hired away to start a Music Program at New Richmond High School. He taught music at New Richmond for 17 years and developed the school's Les Chanteurs choral group into one of the best in Ohio.
Mr. Ward was a 1952 graduate of West Virginia University where he received two bachelor's degrees, pre-med and Music Education. He received his Master in Music Education from WVU in 1957. He was a Captain in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. His music career began at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Weston, West Virginia where he began playing the organ for the Choir at just 10 years old.
In 1974 he became the Supervisor for the Creative & Performing Arts Program with the Norwood City School District in Ohio. In 1972 he started the adult Choir of 75 singers and orchestra members and the boys Scola at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Ft. Thomas, KY. He took the Choir & Orchestra to the Vatican to sing for Pope John Paul, II and then to Vienna & Salzburg Austria.
When he retired from teaching he didn't – he taught music students at Northern Kentucky University as an Adjunct Professor and he taught Gregorian Chant & Latin Music to students at Bishop Brossart High School Alexandria, Ky. He is a past president of the Cincinnati MacDowell Society. Give him a piano, a chalk board and a piece of blank sheet music and he was happy.
Jack Ward is survived by his wife of 57 years B. Leann (Nicholson) Ward of Cold Spring, KY; daughters Jeanne (Dave) Riggs of Edgewood, KY; Catherine (Dave) Schwer of Villa Hills, KY; Ann (Patrick) Greely of Alexandria, KY; Tricia (Scott) Corder of Fairfield Township, OH; sons Michael (Carol) Ward of Alexandria, KY and Greg (Mary Beth) Ward of Edgewood, KY; 18 Grandchildren, and 5 Great Grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 27th 2016 from 4:00-8:00 pm at Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home, 427 S. Ft. Thomas Ave., Ft. Thomas, Kentucky. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, January 28th at 11:00 am at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Burial will take place in St. Stephens Cemetery, Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Memorials to St. Thomas Church, 26 E. Villa Pl. Ft. Thomas, KY 41075 or to St. Patrick Catholic Church, 210 Center Ave, Weston, WV 26452. Online condolences can be given at www.dmefuneral.com.
- See more at: http://www.dmefuneral.com/obituary/John-Michael-Ward/Cold-Spring-KY/1583447#obit-services.