February 14, 1943 – November 13, 2020
Lawrence “Smokey” Ward, 77, of Huntington, UT and formerly of Timber Lake passed away November 13, 2020 after a brief hospitalization.
He was born February 14, 1943 to Timber Lake ranchers, Buck and Florence LeCompte Ward. He was their 9th child, the youngest boy, and was born on the birthday of an older brother, Ken Ward.
Smokey attended boarding schools and graduated from school from Stephan Mission Catholic Boarding School. He enlisted in the United States Marines in 1964 and was discharged in 1967. After his discharge from active duty, he was in the reserves for some time.
He returned to Timber Lake and lived with the Ken Ward family at the ranch. Smokey was an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. He attended mechanic school in Fargo, ND and worked as a mechanic for Hulm Chevrolet at Timber Lake.
On New Years Eve, 1969, he married the love of his life, Sherry Torevell. Together they shared almost 51 years of marriage. During their time in Timber Lake, they lived at Sherry’s parents’ place near the Timber Lake Rodeo Grounds. Smokey enjoyed team roping and the local roping club had some good times.
Power lines were being built and Smokey went to work for Commonwealth Electric, a job he held for 20 years. Along with many other young men with families in this line of work, Sherry and Smokey lived in several states before settling in Utah where Smokey worked for the Ute Tribe’s irrigation project until he retired.
Smokey and Sherry were proud parents of son Jess and daughter Rhea; they had four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He loved spending time with all of them and especially enjoyed playing horseshoes.
Smokey is survived by his wife Sherry, son Jess (Cheri) of Fairbanks, AK, and daughter Rhea (Benji) Gayler of Orangeville, UT; grandchildren Ariel, Lauren, Bryce, and Jose; and great-grandchildren Jasyne and Riley Ann; a brother, Monty Ward of Pasco, WA; a sister, Mary White of Portland, OR; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Jim, Bob, Ken, Will Roger (“Bill”), and Dick; sisters Rita Enright and Katherine “Gypsy” Walters; his in-laws, Leon and Merlene (Mollie) Carls Torevell; brother-in-law Clay Torevell; and many other extended family members.
The family of Lawrence “Smokey” Ward are grateful for having shared his life.
(Sherry Ward’s address is Box 1496, Huntington, UT 54528.)