James Lawrence Ward, Jr.

James L. Ward Jr., a devoted husband and father, a wonderful sibling and friend to so many, passed away April 10, 2025, at home after a strong 3-year battle with cancer. He was 57. 

He was surrounded with so much love in his final days, and all will miss him deeply.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents: James L. Ward Sr. and Joyce Ann Sander. He is survived by his wife Susan Simpson, their son John Henry Ward, and daughters, Rosie Cullen and Sarah Traylor. Sarah and her husband John brought two wonderful grandchildren into their lives, John Cay, and Anne Rose, bringing much joy to Jim and to the whole family.

Jim grew up in a family of faith in Shoreline WA, attended St. Luke School and Bishop Blanchet High School. Following in Jim Sr. footsteps, he became a brick mason and mason contractor. Along with his brother, Joseph Ward, they started Wards' Masonry Inc. in 1996 and had an extraordinarily successful 28 year run at contracting throughout Western Washington. He was enormously proud of the many projects they finished and played the "I built that" game driving around town with his wife and kids or anyone who would listen. He was instrumental in the promotion of the masonry trades through the Washington State Conference of Mason Contractors (WSCMC) and the Masonry Institute of Washington (MIW), where he served as president for many years.

Unfortunately, retirement and cancer coincided. Jim used the time to grow in his love of family, opening his heart to expressing the gifts of love and friendship. Whether firing up the grill at home or working in the many roles he enjoyed throughout the masonry industry, he made a real and enduring impact in so many ways.

The family would like to thank the oncology and palliative care team at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Evergreen Hospice, Kirkland and the caregiver team at Beeuti, LLC, Mercer Island. Everyone was so kind and helpful to us and Jim, and hospice at home made his final days peaceful.

We will celebrate Jim's life always, but we'll start with a Celebration of Life on Sunday April 27th from 4-6 p.m., at Beck's Tribute Center in Edmonds.

The funeral mass for Jim will be on Monday, April 28th at 10 a.m., at St. Luke Catholic Church, Shoreline. A reception will follow in the church auditorium.

You can leave memories of Jim at Beck’s Tribute Center online. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or Jim and Susan's favorite charity, Project Amigo.  

Jim, Jimbo, Big Toot, you had a good life!