John A. Ward Jr.

   John A. Ward Jr., “Pops”, 67, of Sioux City, passed away Wednesday November 18, 2020 surrounded by his family.

   Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home (1431 West 29^th St) in South Sioux City, Nebraska. Visitation will be Monday at the funeral home from 6 to 8 pm.

   John was born November 16, 1953 in Jackson, MS to John Sr. and Lois Ward. The family moved to Sioux City, IA shortly after, making this his permanent home. He graduated in 1972 with the last graduating class of Central High School.

   While attending high school, he started his working career at El Fredo Pizza where he was employed for the next 16 years.

   On June 22, 1974, he married the love of his life Ricki Lee Benedict at Sacred Heart Church in Sioux City. From this union, a daughter and son were born.

   In 1986, he began his next career as a machinist at Elastomer Engineering where he retired from at the beginning of this year.

   John’s passion for racing started at a very young age. From learning from his dad, to driving his own race car, to pitting for others, to passing down his love of racing to his children.  He also enjoyed cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, playing cribbage, and shooting pool.

   Survivors include: daughter De Anna (Daryl) Brunson; son Jason (Jodi) Ward; six grandchildren: James Ward, Jasalyn (Steven Rozeboom) Ward, Jacob Ward, Kate Lynn Brunson, Madison Brunson, and Jonathan Ward; and great granddaughter Chevelle Rozeboom; mother Lois Ward; two sisters; Sheryle (Rick) Allen and Kathi (Don) Luebben; mother-in-law Marlene Jacobs; two sisters-in-law: Jacki (James) Kajewski and Bonnie (Mike) Wolterman; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many cousins.

   John was preceded by death by his wife of 43 years, his father, his father-in-law Jack Jacobs Sr. and a sister in infancy.