John Barclay Ward's Obituary
John Barclay Ward, aged 92 years and 11 months, passed away in Tucson, Arizona on January 25, 2025 from natural causes. Barclay is survived by his wife of 70 years, Rita, his 3 children, Michael, Paul and Valerie, 4 grandchildren, Alex, Melissa, Daniel and Matthew, and 3 great grandchildren, Colton, Ryan and little Charlie.
Barclay was born on February 17, 1932 in New York City and was the only child of Frank D. And Florence Lutz Ward. He spent his childhood in NYC, Kingston, New York and Palm Beach Florida during the winter months. He met Rita at the specialty school of Music and Art in NYC and graduated in 1950. During the Korean War, Barclay enlisted in the US Air Force and was stationed at the Air University at Maxwell Field in Alabama where he served as an aide to the Commanding Officer, LT General, Laurence Kuter. He married Rita A. Spiatto on May 30, 1954 and left the Air Force in 1955 at the rank of Staff Sergeant. He raised his family in Commack and Port Washington, New York and completed a long career in graphic and exhibit design. He traveled throughout the world with Rita, enjoyed ballroom dancing and retired to Tucson Arizona in 2004 where he became a docent at the Kitt’s Peak Observatory and produced the Mirror Technology Display. Barclay was a proud hereditary member of the Society of Cincinnati. He was reserved, but always fair and considerate to all during his lifetime. He will be greatly missed by his extended family and friends.
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