Lester L. Ward, 89, of Ponca City, died Sunday, August 2, at the home with his family by his side. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.
A Celebration of Lester’s Life will be held Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Trout Funeral Home chapel, 505 W. Grand Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601, with Don Mackie officiating.
Lester was born to C.L. and Ethel Ward in Tulsa on January 5, 1937. He graduated from Central High School, Tulsa, in 1955 and attended one year at Oklahoma State University. Lester and his two sons, Michael and Greg Ward, started Ward’s Air Conditioning and worked together until Lester’s retirement in 2001, at which time the sons continued to run the business.
On November 10, 1956, Lester married the love of his life, his best friend, Rhoda (Bell) Ward. They were married just shy of 70 years when Lester passed away. Lester and Rhoda had three children.
Lester is survived by his wife, Rhoda, of the home, son Greg Ward (and wife Linda) of Ponca City, daughter Debbie Fleming (and husband Paul) of Ponca City. Lester and Rhoda have six grandchildren, Jeremy Ward, Bailee Burns, Jeff Sullivan, Joshua Todd, Randi Alvis, and Kelsey Sullivan, ten great grandchildren, as well as many other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, C.L. and Ethel Ward; his in-laws, Clyde and Fern Bell; Son, Michael Ward; Daughter-in-Law, Terri Ward; and Brother, Gary Ward.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in memory of Lester to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave., Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.
We invite you to offer a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or perhaps share a memory of Lester at www.troutfuneralhome.com