17 replies to this topic

[Cheater]

It was with sadness that I have to report Slotblog member and well-known racer Jerry Ward of Sandusky, OH, passed away on May 20, 2014.

According to his friend, Brian McPherson, "Jerry was a really great guy!! He built some of the nicest detailed cars you would ever see. Did his boxes the same way. He raced at Cap's, Oak Hill, J&B, and Rt 93."

Here's a pic I took of Jerry in 2009 at R4/2.



Details on any arrangements for Jerry's service will be posted here when they become available.

RIP, Jerry. Save us a pit space alongside the other great racers you'll be joining up with...

[MSwiss]

Met Jerry at R4/2 and talked with him a few times on the phone.

A great guy with a real love for slot cars.

May he rest in peace.

[Cap Henry]

Jerry was a great guy who did so much to help others. He was always willing to give someone a car, and truly enjoyed the hobby. I remember spending many days sitting at his bench in his home rebuilding my motors until I got my own tools.

Rest in Peace, Jerry, you will be missed.

[Dennis David]

He died too young.

[ropon]

Sad to hear. He was another good guy that passed too early.

[Mad Mexican]

Amigos,
 
I echo Cap's statements. Real good guy, would loan anything you need, a great competitor, and a good friend.

Through Cap I purchased a couple items that were Jerry's at one time. The Retro Flexi coupe I would pull out and run was Jerry's and won a few concours until the body wore out.

Rest in peace, Jerry Ward. We will all miss you.
 
Adios, Amigo.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Jerry Ward was great to talk with. Cindy especially liked to BS with him. It's a loss to all racers.

RIP.

[Rob Voska]

Jerry was a good friend and a great guy. Spent a lot of time BS'ing while traveling to Tom Thumb to run Retros. He had as much fun lending cars to others as he did racing or taking his kids and grandkids to the track.

Jerry "Ballistic ****" Ward will be missed...
 
We need more Jerrys in this sport.

[Tim Neja]

So sorry to hear of another racer gone way too young!!

RIP - God Bless your family!!

[Krummy]

Rest In Peace, Jerry.

You helped me a lot and gave us all good memories.

[Cheater]

I'll bet there are some great Jerry stories... How about posting one or more, if you have some?

And if anyone has some pics of any of Jerry's cars, they would be most welcome here as well.

Condolences are not misplaced, but I also feel it is appropriate to celebrate the lives of people who have graduated from our mortal sphere.

They are not dead! They have but passed
Beyond the mists that blind us here
Into the new and larger life
Of that serener sphere.

They have but dropped their robe of clay
To put their shining raiment on;
They have not wandered far away -
They are not "lost nor "gone."

From "There is No Death", by J. L. McCreery

[Bob Kurkowski]

At one of the early R4s I hooked up on black lane during early race day practice and as I exited the high bank my car ran WFO into the back of a car that was left on the lane with a spun pinion by the driver who was on black lane before me. The guy never said anything about 'holding the lane' and I think he even forgot that his car was still on the track. Needless to say my car was reduced to a loose pile of brass and wire AKA... totaled.

When I returned to my pit next to Jerry he could hear me MF'ing the guy who was on black before me under my breath and he took one look at the pieces in my hands and said, "Here, this is my best car and it's a missle". Thanks to Jerry I was able to make the A Main.

Going to miss Jerry, he was one of those special guys you were proud to call a friend.

Bob K.

[Matt Bruce]

There are many different things which I attribute to Retro racing, and among them probably the most important and enjoyable are the people that make up this hobby. Without it, I would have never met so many great personalities.

Jerry is what slot racing was meant to be about. We lost another teacher, another racer, another personality.

Godspeed Mr. Ward

[Dave Fiedler]

Very sad news for me. I really liked Jerry. He was the salt of the earth kinda guy. And he'll be greatly missed.

 

Sano Dave

[Mike Patterson]

We'll miss you, Jerry. Rest in peace.

[Chris Earnhart]

I am sorry to hear the passing of our fellow racer and friend, Jerry Ward. I can still see him racing on J&B's Paperclip holding a controller that was the size of a framing hammer. He would always help me and my boys with advice and parts when we were struggling as rookies.

Jerry will be missed in the the slot car community, he was a good racer and true gentleman.

Jerry and his family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

[Cheater]

From the Sandusky Register:

Jerrold "Jerry" David Ward
Feb 23, 1951 - May 20, 2014

 

Jerrold "Jerry" David Ward, 63, residing in Sandusky, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2014, in Cleveland Clinic Foundation after a lengthy illness.

Jerry was born Feb. 23, 1951, in Sandusky, to Emery and Jean (Dutton) Ward.

Jerry graduated from Sandusky High School and retired from General Motors after 26 years of dedicated service. In his spare time he enjoyed working on classic cars, slot car racing, and spending time with his family.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 38 years, Kathleen (Burr) Ward, whom he married Aug. 28, 1976; three sons, Jeremy (Kelly), Joshuah (Jennifer) and Jarrod (Niesha) Ward, all of Sandusky; eight grandchildren, Jordan, Ashton, Jayden, Benjamin, Jonathon, Cassidy, Addison and Jameson Ward; three brothers, Emery (Suanne) Ward of Bellevue, and John (Nancy) Ward and Jeff Ward, of Sandusky; sister-in-law, Kim (Rod Hurak) Comella; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, John and Jackie Comella.

Friends may call 3-7 PM, Thursday, May 22, at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky. Funeral services will be 10 AM, Friday, May 23, at the funeral home, with Rev. Timothy Nilsen presiding. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Sandusky.

Those wishing to contribute to Jerry's memory may do so to Cancer Services of Erie County, 505 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky, Ohio 44870.

Condolences may be shared at grofffuneralhomes.com.

[Chris Earnhart]

Check and mark your calenders for a Jerry Ward memorial race on the black track. The date we have set is Sat, July 26, with two races. We're planning to start early and end early so that everyone can still have Sat. eve available.

 

All proceeds will be sent to Cancer Services of Erie County in Jerry's name.

 

We at Fastraxxx not only want to promote the sport of slot car racing into the future, but also want to honor the past, give back to the community, and pay it forward. If you know the history of Fastraxxx, you know what we do with our young racers and new vision.

 

Please check your calenders and keep checking Slotblog for more information.