Charles Robert Ward

MALTA – Charles Robert Ward, 88, of Malta, passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2013, at the Minidoka Memorial Hospital in Rupert.

Charles was born on July 17, 1924, in Oakley, Idaho, the son of Wallace M. and Mary Amelia Matthews Ward. The young family ranched in Oakley raising sheep and cattle until the death of Mary Amelia in 1927. Wallace remarried and settled his growing family on Cassia Creek near Malta. Charles attended school in Malta with his two brothers and two sisters, and later attended Utah State University. After serving in the United States Army in Okinawa and Korea, Charles returned to Malta to ranch. He met Janet L. Ospital, the daughter of Philip and Irene Ospital from Clear Creek, Utah. Charles and Janet married on March 18, 1953, settling south of Malta. In 1959, they purchased a ranch southwest of Malta where they raised their three boys. Their ranch grew when, in 1968, they purchased Charles’ childhood home and ranch.

Charles was raised in a ranching family. By the age of ten, he was responsible for his father’s sheep camps. After they married, he and Janet raised cattle and several bands of sheep. In time, the emphasis of their ranch changed to beef.

He served on the board of directors for the Raft River Electric Co-op from 1962 until 1969 and the Soil Conservation District from 1961 until 1965. He also served on the Cassia County School Board for 12 years from 1966 until 1978. Charles served five years on the planning committee for the City of Rocks National Reserve. In 2005, he was inducted into the Southern Idaho Livestock Hall of Fame.

Charles has been a committed member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Idaho Cattlemen’s Association. He was also a member of the Idaho Woolgrower’s Association. He actively served on the U.S. Forest Service Elba Grazing Association from 1960 until 1997. He was the president of the South Cotterel Grazing Association for many years. During that time, he was a major developer of the association’s allotment.

As we all know, in the business of family ranching, no one can be successful without the help and support of one’s spouse. For 60 years, Charles and Janet have been at each others’ sides sharing and attaining the same goal – a successful family ranch.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Janet Ward of Malta; three sons, Wally (Gina) Ward and Tom (Barbara) Ward all of Burley, and Cal (Julie) Ward of Sheridan, Mont.; a half-brother, Grover Lee Ward of Orem, Utah; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Olive Ward Smith; one brother, Wallace Matthew Ward; and a half-sister, Beverly Maxine Ward Rowland.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 27, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, where friends and family may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Thursday prior to the service. Burial will be in the Valley Vu Cemetery in Malta with military rites provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization.