Robert "Bob" Jackson Ward

Robert Jackson Ward Jr., known to all as "Bob", was born in Gastonia, NC, December 8, 1944. Around the age of eight he moved with his mother and father to Tampa, Florida where he finished elementary school, went on to Madison Junior High and then completed his high school education at H.B. Plant High. Up until his passing he maintained support for his beloved high school football team, the Plant High Panthers, and often attended their games with his granddaughter Maylee - always wearing his Plant High cap. In 1953, when Bob was nine years old, his sister Marcia was born thus ending his "only child" status - and according to him, introducing "unimaginable headaches" into his young life although he was always quick to add how much he truly loved Marcia. Following his graduation from high school, Bob attended college. However, prior to graduation he decided to join the Air Force where he spent two years in Alaska serving his country and during this time also met Carolene Brown who eventually became his wife. Upon leaving the service, Bob and Carolene lived in various locales around the country, had two beautiful children - Bobby and Kristin - and started their own furniture refinishing business which they along with son Bobby ran for many years. Eventually Bob and Carolene moved back to Florida and during this time period three beautiful grandchildren emerged - Garrett and Carli, children of Bobby and wife Melissa, and Maylee, daughter of Kristin and partner Nick. In 2014 Bobs wife Carolene passed away after a long illness. However, Bob continued living in Tampa up to his passing and during these remaining years spent time with his family, attended services at Idlewild Baptist Church, worked at several local jobs, and in his last year met Beth Gladden who became his beloved companion. He is survived by his son Robert (Bobby) Ward III and wife Melissa, daughter Kristin Ward and partner Nick Burrey, sister Marcia Ward and partner Michael Scott, and grandchildren Garrett, Carli, and Maylee.