Grady Dallas Ward (Pud), 88, of Lawndale, NC, went to be his heavenly father on October 29th while surrounded by family at his home.

Grady was born on October 11, 1933 in Jackson County, NC to father Grady Seldon Ward, and mother Selma Laura Jones Ward Bradley. He served in the United States Airforce from 1951-1955 as an AF14 in the Korean War. Grady married Barbara Grove Ward on January 11, 1956 and continued on to graduate from NCSU in 1960 with a bachelors in animal science and husbandry with honors, a member of the Alpha Zeta Fraternity.

Grady worked in animal health nutrition for multiple companies for 45 years before retiring to his own farm in Lawndale, NC. While at NCSU he was the editor of Meat and Milk Magazine and was also involved in the embryo transplant program. He was a member of the American Angus Association, president of the Cleveland County Cattlemen's Association, and was named beef producer of the year in 1997.

He was preceded in death by father Grady Seldon Ward, mother Selma Ward Bradley, brothers Cecil and Carl Ward, sister Catherine Ward Brooks, and son Grady Dallas Ward JR. Survivors include wife, Barbara Grove Ward of Lawndale, NC, sister Ellen Ward Ashe of Cullowhee, NC, son Eddy Taylor of Shelby, NC, daughters Sandra Brown of Lawndale, NC, Marsha Pearson of West Virginia, Cecilia Ward of Lawndale, NC, and grandchildren Kyle Daniel Brown, Brody Dallas Brown, Kenna Grace Brown, Kelsey Bryn Taylor, Jacob Alexander Welton, Kaleb Dallas Brown, Savannah Ward Lark, Dallas Sophia Ward, and numerous great-grandchildren. Grady was a God fearing man of integrity, honor, service, loyalty, and family. He was humble and a wise advisor. He was a good friend to many, and extended that same compassion, and sometimes more, to his farm animals.

Funeral Services with full military honors will be held on Wednesday, November 3rd at Zion Baptist Church in Shelby, NC at 2:00pm with clergymen Dr. Story. Receiving friends will begin at 1:00pm. Burial will follow the service in Rose Hill Cemetery, Fallston, NC. Reception will be held at the home of Sandra Brown.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to CCA to the Dallas Ward Memorial Scholarship Fund. Checks can be mailed to 130 Southpost Road, Suite 1, Shelby, NC 28152. A paypal account will be created for those wanting to donate via card. For more information you can reach out to Greg Traywich at the Cleveland County extension offices of Shelby, NC.

Guest Registry available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com.

Cecil Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.