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Terry Robert Ward, 85, formerly of Altoona, passed away peacefully on Nov. 27, 2023, in Fredericksburg, Va., in the company of his family, after a long battle with heart and lung disease. He was born in Altoona, the son of James Ward, a sheet metal worker for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and Phillena Ward (Cherry), a homemaker and department store retail clerk.
He attended Keith Junior High and Altoona High schools, where he excelled in football, baseball, basketball and track. Terry was awarded an academic scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, where he played varsity football and lacrosse, graduating in 1960 from the Wharton School with a bachelor's degree in economics. He was the abbot for the Friars Senior Society and a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
After earning an Army ROTC commission, he deployed to southeast Asia and later went on to serve his country in the Intelligence Community for over 50 years in Latin America, Europe and Washington, D.C.
Terry developed his love and talent for music at an early age, performing piano, clarinet and saxophone solos in a number of venues as a pre-teenager. He went on to perform with various orchestras and bands throughout the years, including the Altoona Symphony and with fellow Altoona native Paul Winter for the "Altoona America" charity concert. Most recently, and until shortly before his death, he played clarinet with a community orchestra near his Virginia home, performing free concerts throughout the year.
Terry's family, many friends and colleagues appreciated and often spoke of his warm and supportive personality, clever sense of humor, unshakable honor, humility, wisdom, work ethic and devotion to country, community and family.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Denny, in 1937.
Terry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia (Kavanagh); his children: Kevin (Michele), Michael and Megan (Ted Finne); and grandchildren: Fiona Ward, Harrison Finne and Jackson Finne.
Services will be announced on the memorial website established for Terry. (terry.losward.com)