Virgil Brent Ward, 59, of Baytown, Texas, passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2021, at his home. Virgil was born on March 9, 1961, in Kermit, Texas, to the late Steve Benjamin Ward and Virgilee Faltysek Ward. The family moved around Texas before settling in Baytown, Texas.
In Virgil’s younger years he went by his middle name Brent. Young Brent enjoyed playing outdoors and swimming with his sister Deana. In high school, Brent joined the FFA and began using his first name. He fell in love with the country lifestyle and felt the name Virgil was more suitable for a cowboy. By his senior year, Virgil was the president of the FFA at Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown and graduated from there in 1979. Out of high school, Virgil was enamored with the way of the cowboy. He would travel around Texas to various rodeos chasing that 8 seconds of glory on the back of Behemoth bulls. When he wasn’t rodeoing, he worked various jobs on ranches. Eventually, he made the decision to leave the rodeo life behind to provide a better life for himself and his family, becoming an inspector. He worked for major oil companies in Exxon and Phillips and also smaller independent inspector companies.
Virgil had several hobbies and interests. He enjoyed deep-sea fishing with his Dad and son in tow. He loved deer hunting and target practice with many rifles and pistols. On Sundays, you could catch him in his recliner watching professional bull riding and the Dallas Cowboys. Virgil enjoyed going to the Astros games but, mostly for the peanuts and beer. He absolutely loved going to horse shows to watch his daughter compete and even competing himself. Virgil was a highly competitive board game player and would play anyone willing in monopoly for hours on end. Lastly, he was passionate about grilling and cooking barbeque. He, his older brother, and nephew enjoyed teaming up and participating in barbeque competitions. All of his family and friends will miss him for his goofy personality, sly grin, and big compassionate heart.
Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother Benjamin Murry Ward. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his son Casey Ward of Humble; his daughter Dani Ward of Dayton; his brother Steve Ward and wife Melinda of Dayton; his sisters Sherry McCain of Crosby and Deana Ward of Beaverton, Oregon; his nieces and nephew Bethanie Ward, Marcie Beamer and Dusty Ward; his great-nieces and great-nephews Bryant, Makenna, Rylie-Kay, Cami and Jake; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in memory of Virgil to the National FFA Foundation at https://ffa.givenow.stratuslive.com/ffadonate.
A celebration of Virgil’s life will be held at 3pm on Sunday, March 7, 2021, in the chapel of Sterling Funeral Home, 602 N. Main Street, Dayton, Texas.
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