David Ward

December 6, 2016

Ward, David Obituary

An affectionate and kindhearted son, father, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend, David Edward (“Ed”) Ward, Jr., surrounded by a devoted family, peacefully transitioned from his temporal natural body into his eternal spiritual body on November 28, 2016.   Ed was born on July 26, 1957 to Ms. Ruby B. Turner and the late David E. Ward, Sr. in Washington, DC.  Ed grew up in the Washington Metropolitan Area and received his formal education in the District of Columbia Public School system.  Ed holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling and Recovery.
 
Ed was an exceptionally talented athlete and, as a young man, was admired by many as a local basketball legend.  He chased his dream of becoming a player in the professional basketball league by attending the NBA’s Washington Bullets walk-on tryouts.  He was persistent in his pursuit and maintained the stamina, discipline, and skills necessary not only to compete with the scout recruits, but also to impress the coaches, in order to advance to the second round cut.  Although he wasn’t selected as a Washington Bullet, he was offered a full basketball scholarship to play on the collegiate level at Georgetown University.  Unfortunately, he suffered injuries which permanently damaged his knees and was obligated to forfeit his scholarship.  His love for sports continued well beyond that disappointment.  In the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s, he spent countless hours training with Washington Wizards point guard, Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues.  If you haven’t guessed by now, Ed was a diehard fan of the Washington Bullets/Wizards.  As a father, he spent time coaching recreation league football and basketball, where each of his sons has played.  He was also a phenomenal rhythmic and stunt (roller) skater. He spent a lot of his free time at the skating rink with friends and family.
 
Ed labored as a heavy equipment operator in road construction and maintenance for a number of years.  He also held positions in trade and sales for many years.  And, for over a decade, and prior to his passing, he was a Residential Coordinator and Substance Abuse Counselor at Regional Addiction Prevention, Inc. (RAP) in Washington, DC.  While at RAP he had a positive influence and impact on his colleagues and clients.
 
He was raised in the church under the godly wisdom and counsel of his uncle, the late, Bishop Arthur L. Adams, Ed heard a multitude of messages about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As a child attending Sunday school, he was excited about memorizing the Books of the Bible and Scriptures.  He was actively involved in youth ministries.  Dissimilar to his Christian upbringing, as an older adult, he began to study and follow the teachings of Muhammad and converted to a Muslim.  One Sunday morning in 2007, a spiritual metamorphose transpired, he answered the call for redemption and committed his life to becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, joined the New Canaan Baptist Church, and was baptized by Pastor Gregory Sims.  Ed was a fun-loving peacemaker, tenderhearted, socially adept, generous, and kind.  Ed did not merely exist; he lived life to the fullest and he was the life of every party.
 
Ed’s most prized possessions were his children, grandchildren, and mother.  As a proud dad, if he could do life over again, he would most certainly keep his children and devote as much of himself as possible to bonding more with each of them, meeting their every need, dancing with his daughters and granddaughters, knotting his sons and grandsons neckties, and laughing and loving with them even more!  Ed comes from a large biological family, but he was as a much of a son to Mr. and Mrs. Cloyd as their own children, so in addition to his eleven biological siblings, he gained another twelve from the Cloyd family. He was a genuinely caring man and has been a source of encouragement and comfort to many recovering addicts and homeless men and women.
 
Ed leaves to cherish his memories, his loving family, mother, Ruby Turner, six children, Edward Cloyd, SherVerne Cloyd-Allen (Kevin), Danyce Edwards, David Edwards, Edward Day, and Messiah Jenkins, seven grandchildren, Aniya Cloyd, Delonté Cloyd, Dontrell Cloyd, Edward Cloyd, Jr., Dionna Cloyd, Sydney Allen, and Kevin Allen, Jr., four sisters Sheila Jefferson (Norman), Victoria Givens (Derrick), Precious Hardy, Denice Southall (Michael), six brothers, Charles Ward, Douglas Ward, Leon Ward, James Turner, Jr., Darryl Turner, and Dennis  Tucker (Michelle), his fiancée Rhonda Jenkins, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends.  He was preceded in death by beloved daughter Ebony Cloyd, brother, William Mack, step-father James Turner, Sr., grandparents, Collins and Ruby Hagler, nephews James Turner  and Olajuwan Hardy, and niece Samantha Reynolds.




Day:
Time:

What:
Venue:

Where:
December 13, 2016
9:00 am - 11:00 am

Visitation
New Canaan Baptist Church

2826 Bladensburg Road NE
Washington, DC 20018
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Day:
Time:

What:
Venue:

Where:
December 13, 2016
11:00 a.m.

Funeral Service
New Canaan Baptist Church

2826 Bladensburg Road NE
Washington, DC 20018
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Day:

What:
Venue:

Where:
December 13, 2016

Burial
Fort Lincoln Cemetery

3401 Bladensburg Road
Brentwood, MD 20722
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