Dugan Davis Ward

Dugan Davis Ward Dugan Davis Ward, 28, of Ogden, AR passed away on June 7, 2015 on family land due to flooding caused by the Red River. He was born September 2, 1986 in Texarkana, TX to Steve and Dee Dee Ward. Dugan was a member of the Ashdown Church of Christ, and a 2005 graduate of Ashdown High School. Dugan was known to all for his strength, athleticism and laugh. His grin was infectious. Family and friends enjoyed spending time with him because of his love of life, which he lived to the fullest. Dugan grew up in the Richmond and Ogden communities of southwest Arkansas, along with his brother Will, where they followed in the footsteps of their parents by playing sports, hunting, fishing, riding the bottoms, and most of all spending time together on the Red River. One of Dugan and Will's favorite past times was riding four-wheelers wearing out many sets of tires. As soon as he could hold a bat and ball, Dugan began playing baseball and continued throughout his early 20's. He started playing organized baseball at the age of five in the Ashdown City Park summer baseball program. He continued into high school where he was a member of the Ashdown High School Panther baseball team for four years. Continuing the family tradition of proudly wearing the #12 jersey, Dugan was a three-year letterman. He was a member of Panther baseball teams that went to the state tournament during his sophomore, junior, and senior years. In 2003 when the new city baseball field was inaugurated, Dugan threw out the first pitch in front of a capacity crowd and went on to toss a four-hitter striking out nine batters to lead his team to a victory. During his high school career, he received multiple honors and awards including All-District and All-Region in 2004; and in 2005, he became the first player to receive the Bubba Adams Outstanding Athlete award. After high school, Dugan continued his baseball career as a pitcher for the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions. Later he played in the Minor Leagues for the Bay Area Toros in League City, TX and the Texarkana Gunslingers. In addition to being a great athlete, Dugan was an avid sports fan. He loved the Arkansas Razorbacks and the St. Louis Cardinals and spent many hours attending games making memories with family and friends. On weekends, Dugan enjoyed playing volleyball and watching the Pittsburg Steelers. When most people think of Dugan, they picture him as an outdoorsman. Dugan spent countless hours hunting, fishing and riding on the Red River. As proof, he had many deer mounts and was so proud of the fish he caught that he displayed many, many "fish heads" on his Mom and Dad's fence along Highway 32 in Ashdown. The Ward family has a long history of working the land and growing a garden. Dugan grew up first playing in the garden and later working alongside his Mamaw, Papaw, Uncle Davey, and parents. One of the first things Dugan always did as soon as he came home from college or playing ball was to go weed the family garden. His passion for gardening continued when he moved to Ogden where he and his cousin, Mett Cobb, worked a garden. They provided food such as peas, corn, tomatoes, squash and peppers to all their friends, family and neighbors in Ogden and Richmond. They also canned and gave away items like tomato juice, sauerkraut, and peas to people everywhere. One of Dugan's greatest joys was to help people in any way possible. When he decided his baseball career was finished, Dugan came back to Ashdown and began working for UPS in Texarkana where he made many friends. Later he became employed at Cooper Tire in the tire room where he developed many more friendships. While working at Cooper Tire, Dugan became a member of the United Steelworkers Local 1327. At both places, he was known for being an excellent employee and one of the hardest working guys a company could want. Christmas 2011 was a special time for Dugan because he met the love of his life, Katie Goza. They were introduced at a party by mutual friends and were "smitten" with each other right away. Dugan introduced Katie to his family and friends throughout the Christmas and New Year's season of 2012. When Katie introduced Dugan to her father, he immediately named him "Bighun". Dugan was blessed to find a beautiful woman who loved the outdoors and the river as much as he did. On June 15, 2013, Dugan and Katie were married and became inseparable. They truly were a "match made-in-heaven", where leather met lace. Dugan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Ollie Belle Davis; Dave and Virginia Ward; and an uncle David Michael Ward. Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife, Katie Ward; his loving parents, Steve and Dee Dee Ward; his beloved brother, Will Ward; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rob and Diane Goza; Katie's grandparents, William L. and Bobbie Goza; his uncle Chuck Davis and wife Joan; his aunt, Deana Davis Akins and husband Mike; his first-cousins, Chas Davis, Joshua Ward, Tyler Davis, Collin Ward Holderfield, Andrea Akins Tipton, Michael Akins and Drew Akins; two special aunts, Sandy Davis and Nita Ward; many friends and a large extended family that he loved so much. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 8, from 6-8 at the Ashdown Church of Christ. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, June 9 at 10 a.m. at the Ashdown Church of Christ with David Formby officiating. Burial will follow at the Ashdown Cemetery. Pallbearers are Cody Lockeby, Colin Lockeby, Caden Lockeby, Nick Starks, Marcus Pullen, and Blake Fowler. Honorary pallbearers are Chas Davis, Tyler Davis, Michael Akins, Drew Akins, Joshua Ward, and Chad Russell. "CBCS". Arrangements are under the direction of Madden Funeral Home in Ashdown, AR, In lieu of flowers donations may be made to https://www.continuetogive.com/duganward, the Dugan Ward fund at Mil-way Credit continued... 1 2 Next ...continued Union or your favorite charity. A scholarship for an Ashdown High School baseball player will be established with all designated donations. Online Registration: maddenfuneralservice.com Previous 1 2

Dugan Davis Ward

June 7, 1987 - June 7, 2015