FAIRVIEW CROSSROADS—Mr. James Dozier “J.D” Ward (Judge Ward), 86, went home to be with Jesus on Friday, June 4, 2021.

Mr. J.D. is the husband of the late Martha Sue Padgett Ward. They were married 61 years. He is the father of Rhonda W. Goodwin and her husband Michael of Hickory Grove, Jerry D. Ward of Leesville, and Janet W. Boone and her husband Tim, also of Leesville. He is the grandfather of Megan W. Reynolds and her husband Michael, Ashton G. Rhodes and her husband Michael, and Kaylen G. Revels and her husband Will. Mr. J.D. is also the great grandfather of Kenzli A. Rhodes, Gracelyn Sue Rhodes, Mason B. Reynolds, Ellie J. Rhodes, and Stella B. Revels. Mr. J.D. is the son of the late Dozier Lee “Doc” Ward and the late Maggie L. Causey Ward Johnson. He is the brother of Hazel W. Caro, of Wallingford, Ct., Juanita W. Johnson and her husband Billy Gene of Martinez, Ga, and the late Ronald S. Ward and the late Jerry A. Ward.

Mr. J.D. is a member of Convent Baptist Church, The Christian Motorcycle Association, and was a founding member of the S.C. Chapter of the Blue Knights. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Korean War, and the S.C. National Guard. He also served his community at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department as Investigator, as Leesville Chief of Police and as Magistrate Judge, Retired.

A service celebrating the life of Mr. J.D. will be held at 11:30 am Saturday June 12, 2021 at Convent Baptist Church. The Reverends Travis Crumpton, Michael Goodwin and Leo Senn will be ministering. Mr. J.D. will be buried privately in the presence of his immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Convent Baptist Church, 787 Convent Church Road, Leesville, SC 29070.