Davis Franklin Ward

Davis Franklin Ward, 92, of Kingsport (Colonial Heights) passed away suddenly at his home on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, after spending the day doing some of the things he loved: helping a friend care for her farm animals, visiting with friends and family, working in his yard, and collecting walnuts then cracking them to fill his squirrel feeders which, as a skilled craftsman, he had handmade.

Born in Surgoinsville, TN on September 9, 1932, Davis was the eldest son of the late Henry Thomas Ward and Lula Armstrong Ward. He was preceded in death by his sister, Juanita Ward; brother, Herman Ward; brother, Ural Ward; and pre-deceased by his wife of 64 years, Nancy Ball Ward, a classmate he fell in love with while attending Emory & Henry College.

Davis graduated from Surgoinsville High School in 1950. He interrupted his education at Emory & Henry to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. After proudly serving his country, he graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. He was employed for 25 years by Eastman Kodak, Filter Products Division, Kingsport, but he also enjoyed working alongside his wife at Tommy’s Trophies, a business they co-founded in 1970.

Davis was passionate about caring for abandoned and homeless dogs. For decades he was an official member of the unofficial dog walkers group at Warrior’s Path State Park and was once featured in the Kingsport Times News with his dog, Rambo. He faithfully served as a meals-on-wheels delivery driver, rarely missed his bi-weekly yoga class, Sunday School or Sunday Worship and, along with his friend, Ken Rowland, he set up the manger scene at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church the day after Thanksgiving each year for fifty years.

Davis is survived by his son, Thomas Ward and wife Tatania of San Diego, CA; daughter, Lynda Ward of Johnson City, TN; son-in-law, Steven Brey of Fayetteville, NC; and his beloved grandchildren: Mary Beth Ward (Connor Peden) of Napa, CA; his “best-buddy” teenaged granddaughter Melany Brey of Johnson City, TN; and his grandson Matthew Ward of Montreal Canada. Davis had been looking forward to celebrating the birth of his first great-grandchild at the end of this year.

Davis is also survived by his sister-in-law Betty Ward of Surgoinsville, TN; beloved cousins Sarita & Fred Marland of Darien, GA; nieces Sarita Franks of Columbia, SC, and Angela Ward Pruett of Maryville, TN, along with numerous cousins throughout the East Tennessee area.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church from 3 pm to 4 pm. A memorial service will follow with Rev. Chris Brown officiating.

Davis’s graveside service will be at the Holston Conference United Methodist Church Cemetery in Emory, VA at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Colonial Heights United Methodist Church or to the Hawkins County Humane Society Shelter: www.hawkinscountyhumanesociety.org. 

Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Kingsport is serving the Ward Family.