Joseph Daniel Ward

HAMILTON - Joseph Daniel Ward, 42, of Hamilton passed away Saturday, April 12, 2014 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born January 2, 1972 in Harbor City, California to Jack Ward and Carolyn Barnes.

Joe attended school in Muldrow, OK and graduated from Lincoln High School (Lincoln, MT) in 1990. He served in the US Marine Corp from 1990-1994 and graduated from Montana State University in 1998 with a Bachelors degree in biology.

Joe married his high school sweetheart, Connie Ogilvie, on May 16, 1998. They lived in Salt Lake City, UT and Woodland, CA before returning to Montana in 2006 where they settled in Hamilton. He worked for Ravalli County Health Department prior to his career as a Health Physicist with Rocky Mountain Laboratories.

An avid outdoorsman, Joe shared his passion for hunting, fishing and camping with his two young daughters. Many a time they could be found, clad in camouflage, scouting throughout western Montana. He was well known for his sense of humor, infectious laugh, love for motorized vehicles (most of which were in desperate need of repair) and as a great dad. Joe (or Joey as he was known by many) will be forever missed and always loved.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Carolyn Barnes. Joe is survived by his wife, Connie (Ogilvie) Ward; their daughters, Bailey (14) and Madison (8); his father, Jack Ward; sisters, Jackie Ward, Carrie Chambers, Chyanna Morgan and Robyn Ward; brother, David Ward; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial be made in Joe's name to Camp Mak-A-Dream, P.O. Box 1450, Missoula, Montana 59806 or to the charity of the donor's choice.