From Facebook: Ward Despain

Steve Despain: My father passed away Sunday evening after a 5 year battle with Alzheimer's. While it was a blessing as he didn't recognize anyone and was not able to communicate well, it still gives pause to reflect.
The viewing will be at Metcalf Mortuary on Friday the 5th from 6-8 pm, and the funeral will be Saturday the 6th at 10:00am at the Foremaster Ridge chapel,http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif with a viewing from 9-10 am prior to the service.

Obituary from the St George Paper.

ST. GEORGE - C. Ward Despain, age 89, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2011 in St. George, Utah. He was born July 6, 1922 in Granite, Utah to Charles W. and Elsie Fryer Despain. He married Irene McGee on March 19, 1943 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Ward grew up in the small town of Granite, Utah in the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon with the "best parents in the whole world" (his words). He graduated from Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah in 1940, attended Utah State University for three years and then was inducted into the army with his R.O.T.C. group shortly after his marriage. For two years, Irene was able to be with him at various locations in California, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas. He attended Officer's Training School in North Carolina and received the rank of First Lieutenant. He then served in the 209th Automatic Weapons Anti-Aircraft Battalion for a year in the Philippines and Japan.

He attended the University of Utah where he received his B.S. degree in sociology in 1951. He then received his M.S. degree in church history and philosophy from Brigham Young University in 1956. His doctorate degree was obtained in curriculum, teaching, and educational administration at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington in 1965.

He began his 39-year career with the LDS Church Education System in the middle of the 1948-49 school year as a seminary principal and teacher in Coalville, Utah. He was later assigned as a Coordinator of Seminaries for Southeastern Utah, living in Price, Utah; Coordinator of Indian Seminaries; with headquarters at BYU in Provo, Utah; Coordinator of Seminaries in Eastern Washington in Pullman Washington; Director and teacher at the LDS Institute at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah and Coordinator of Seminaries in Hawaii.

As a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he has had many church callings including first counselor in a bishopric in Coalville, Utah; serving on two high councils in St. George; Bishop in St. George and in Hilo, Hawaii; and always a master teacher. He has influenced the lives of many. He loved life, loved the Lord, and loved his family.

He is survived by his wife, Irene, three children: Mary Ann (Terry) Blackburn of Las Vegas, NV, Steven (Evelyn) of St. George, UT, and David of Riverton, UT, 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and sister Nellie Kunz of Payson, UT. He is preceded in death by his brothers Joseph, Leo, Merland, sister Verdant Warren and granddaughter Tera Blackburn Cannon.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Foremaster Drive LDS Chapel, 912 South 1740 East, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. and on Saturday, prior to services, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will follow at the St. George City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. Please visit our website www.metcalfmortuary.com for full obituary, funeral listings and condolences.