Leon Ward

Avowed humanist, social activist, and veteran, Owen Leon Ward died December 16, 2009 at Woodland Park Care Center in Salt Lake City. He was born, August 22, 1925 in the Salt Lake Valley to Rex and Mamie Myers Ward, joining older brother Max.

Leon saw Army action and became POW in World War II. He reenlisted and served in Korea. He earned a BA in History from the University of Utah. He taught at West High School where he was an alumnus. With his father and brother Maurice, he managed Ward's Market, located on 3rd East and 21st South for 37 years. On September 19, 1958 he married Virginia Bell.

He was a strong advocate for peace, civil rights, and social justice. He served as founding Board Member of Friendship Manor, participated in NAACP, JACL, U.N. Association of Utah, World Federalist Movement, and Humanists of Utah. He arranged speaking engagements for Hiroshima survivors.

In 1963, accompanied with 14 civil rights advocates and with his wife Virginia, he traveled to Washington, DC and stood within 50 feet of Martin Luther King during the "I Have a Dream" speech.

He volunteered for 10 years at the County Aging Services and Senior Companions.

He was a loving foster grandparent to Angelina and Fred Callahan, Jr., Nicholas Johnson (deceased), and Joshua Adams; step-father to Timothy Champney and Joan Pennette (Penny) and Philip Letson; great-grandparent to Sean and Brooke Johnson. He is survived by spouse Virginia, step-children, and cousin Leslie Perry of Woodlawn, Utah. Memorial service scheduled at the First Unitarian Church, January 10, 2010 at 3:00p.m., 569 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, Utah.