Terry “T-Bone” Ward

Terry L. Ward (T-Bone), age 73, passed away peacefully at home after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family.

Terry was the oldest child of Dorothy and Herbert Ward, and grew up in Pittsboro, Indiana. He graduated from Pittsboro High School in 1967. After high school he joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, then served in Korea during the Vietnam War. After the service he attended Indiana Business College and graduated with a 4-year degree.

He worked at Dow Chemical/Dow Elanco for over 25 years, then spent the last 12 years of his career as the Maintenance Director of the Northwest Hendricks School Corporation, retiring in 2017.

Terry faced his illness with calm acceptance and determination to make every day he had left count. And he was able to enjoy his remaining time with daily visits from his children and grandchildren.

Born with a quick wit and creative mind, he never stopped coming up with new ideas for improvements or to just make life simpler. He was a master woodworker and loved to dream up a new design and then bring it to life. One especially favorite project was when he added a backyard deck to his home which included a partial metal roof so he and Roma could sit out there and listen to the gentle rains of spring. Almost everything inside and outside his home includes touches of his creativity and skill. In fact, most of his family and friends have one of more pieces of his wonderful handiwork somewhere in their homes.

As a preteen he created a small bowling alley in his parent’s basement, which he proudly said even had its own ball return. His sister Debbie remembers Terry as her big brother and protector.

During a family outing to Sugar Creek when Terry was a young teen, she recalls an incident when he actually saved her from downing. “He saved my life that day!”

Terry was also a gifted drummer and harmonicist and enjoyed entertaining others by sharing his love of music. He played with several bands during his youth as well as his later years, accompanying them with his “mouth organ”. And he loved being referred to by his nickname ‘T-Bone’.

He was also known for sharing his love of magic and was often found entertaining children and adults alike with his magic shows. When his sons were younger he coached their baseball and football teams and was so proud of his son Jason who has gone on to be the head football coach at Pittsboro High School.

He and his son Jeff shared the love of archery and enjoyed the time they spent
together.

Although he was always unpretentious about his woodworking and his music, he found immense joy in sharing these gifts of his talents with others.

Terry is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Roma; sons, Jeff (Kim), and Jason (Tori); five grandchildren; two great grandchildren; sister, Debbie Barnette; brother, Rex Ward; and numerous extended family and friends. He will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him.

There are no services scheduled, but his memory will live on not only in the hearts of his family, but also in the many many woodworking gifts he left behind.

Arrangements are in the care of Simplicity Funeral & Cremation Care, Indianapolis Chapel.

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