Lawrence George Ward

.Larry was born 80 years ago in Chicago, Illinois, to Emily and Lester Ward. Larry is predeceased by his parents, his eldest daughter Cheryl, his sister Donna, brother Joe and his grandson Joshua. He leaves behind his beloved wife Anne and children from his first marriage Larry, Tim, Scott, Kevin, Lisa, nine grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. As a teenager he joined the Marine Corps and served in Korean War as a machine gunner for 3rd Batallion, 7th Marines. During his career he also served in Southeast Asia, Japan and Vietnam as well as several Marine bases. It was in Vietnam that he received a field commission. He is a highly decorated veteran and was awarded four Purple Hearts. His favorite time in the Marine Corps was the 4.5 years he served as both a Junior and Senior Driller Instructor at Parris Island, SC, training new Marines for Vietnam combat. Upon retirement from the Marine Corps as a Master Gunnery Sergeant, Larry was re-commissioned to the rank of First Lieutenant. He then went on to work as a civilian employee for both the MarineCorps and the Coast Guard. After his final retirement he served as a Docent at the Lee Mansion, a volunteer with the National Park Service at the Marine Corps War Memorial, and as the Retired Affairs Officer at Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall, and with the Marines performing a variety of elementary school programs. For his volunteer efforts, Larry was awarded the President’s Volunteer Award. He was a Scout Master of two Boy Scout troops for many years in the Stafford, VA area. He also was a Little League Umpire for the county league. For many years Larry was a Civil War Reenactor, and loved scuba diving. Larry wrote a book entitled “Happy Valley” about some of his time in Vietnam. He was also a poet writing some beautiful and deeply touching poems. He loved to laugh and could tell some of the best jokes and stories. He loved to do counted thread, and in a contest once he was made to compete with the women because of the quality of his work. He was a great swimmer and loved to scuba dive. He and Anne loved Hawaii and spent many vacations there. His favorite U.S. travels were to spend time with his Marine friends in both South Carolina and Quantico. He loves Heavenly Father with whom he now lives. Larry passed away on July 2, 2015 at Commonwealth Care Center in Fairfax, Virginia. The family will receive friends at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, VA on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 from 7-9 PM. Funeral services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2719 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, Virginia on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at 11:00AM followed by interment in Quantico National Cemetery at 1:30 PM

Lawrence George Ward

May 31, 1935 - July 2, 2015