Alton Gale Ward, 87, of Wright City, Oklahoma, known by family and friends simply as "Gale," passed peacefully on June 13, 2026.

Born on August 9, 1938, in Wright City, Oklahoma, Gale spent his early years with the people and places that would shape him for the rest of his life.

Following high school, he proudly served his country as a member of the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army. While stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he married Annie (Coleman) Ward. Together they began a journey that would take them to California, where they built their home and raised their family.

Throughout his life, Gale embraced adventure and craftsmanship alike. He was a truck driver for the Teamsters Union at Certified Grocers Company for 30 years. He enjoyed martial arts, scuba diving, and spent many of his middle years sailing his boat to Catalina Island, a pastime he loved dearly.

After retiring in 1993, Gale returned home to Wright City, Oklahoma with his second wife, Esther "Susie" Ward, where he lived the life he loved most. He found joy on the backroads, on the Glover River, or anywhere in the rolling hills of southeastern Oklahoma.

In retirement, Gale became a master woodturner whose talent earned numerous awards and the respect of fellow craftsmen. He especially enjoyed demonstrating and teaching at the Forest Heritage Center in Hochatown and sharing his knowledge with local students through the Woodturners Club. He took great pride in using his skills to serve others, creating wooden bead boxes for children battling cancer and crafting wooden toy cars for Toys for Tots. He was also a proud member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association.

Gale loved his cows, his dogs, and the simple rhythms of country living. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, skilled hands, love for his family, friends, animals, and the land he called home.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fred and Alice Bailey; his mother, LaVeeta (Bailey) Weaver; his aunt and uncle, Wallace and Olga Bailey, who helped raise him; his son, Jeffery Devin Ward; and countless other aunts, uncles, cousins, and loved ones who went before him.

He is survived by his daughters, Angela (Gary) Glossup of Sumner, Texas, and Julie Toon of Granbury, Texas; his four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends whose lives were enriched by knowing him.

Gale was laid to rest in Valliant, Oklahoma, among generations of family who preceded him in death.

Though his family grieves his passing, they find comfort in knowing he is reunited with those he loved and walking the hills of Heaven he always imagined looked so much like home.