Alton (Al) C.S. Ward

Alton (Al) C.S. Ward went peacefully home to be with the Lord on January 1, 2024.  Born June 13, 1940 in Nampa, Idaho, Al joined seven older siblings born to Herbert and Gladys Ward. Al gave his life to the Lord at the age of seven and continued serving the Lord throughout his life.

In 1947 the family purchased a ranch north of Cambridge, Idaho that Al called "the nurturing home place".  Al fondly remembers growing up with the sound of Rush Creek flowing down through the valley.  Al attended the one-room Rush Creek School along with his sister Kathleen and brother Isaac.  Rich memories of transportation to and from school include running, walking, racing across encrusted fields of snow, riding horseback, and sometimes riding on a neighbor’s horse-drawn sled, covered with straw and quilts.

While attending high school in Cambridge, Al’s interest in the sciences grew, especially animal health sciences.  He graduated from Cambridge High School in 1959 and joined the freshman class at the College of Idaho that fall. Al earned a B.S. in Medical Technology from the College of Idaho and interned at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise for 12 months. The training gained during his internship applied to his work with the University of Idaho, beginning in 1965, as a Scientific Aide at the Caldwell Veterinary Research Laboratory.  There, Al researched diseases in cattle before transferring to the Moscow campus in 1960 to continue his research at the Veterinary Science Labs.  He earned a Master’s degree from the University of Idaho in 1972 while working full time and then a Ph.D. in 1980 from Iowa State University.  

Al met Mary, the love of his life, in the spring of 1972 and they married the following year, making their home in Moscow, Idaho.  In 1974, they moved to Ames, Iowa for three years while Al completed his graduate work.  They returned to Moscow in 1976 where Al resumed working at the University of Idaho.  In 1988, Al's position transferred to the Caine Veterinary Teaching Center south of Caldwell and the family made the move to Nampa, Idaho.

Al spent his entire career working for the University of Idaho, Department of Animal Science from 1965 to 2016.  Al enjoyed helping with the care of the grandchildren. He loved his role as “Papa”. He also enjoyed gardening, spending time with family and friends, and the annual week vacation in McCall. Al was a loving husband, father, and Papa, and will be missed greatly.

Al was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Bruce, Hubert, and Don; sisters Arleen (McCarver), Carolyn (Ford), and Kathleen (Donaldson); as well as several nephews and one niece. He is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Nikki Ward, son Ryan (Whitney) Ward, grandchildren Dexter and Adeline Ward, and brother Isaac Ward.  

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Nampa College Church, 504 Dewey Ave. Nampa, Idaho on January 19, 2024, at 11 AM. The service will be live streamed and the live stream link is: https://college church.online.church and/or: Facebook.com/nampacollegechurch Services are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave. So. An online guest book and the complete obituary are available at www.nampafuneralhome.com

Al requested donations be made to the Salvation Army, 403 12th Ave. So., Nampa, ID 83651 or Gideon's International, 400 N. Kings Rd., Nampa, ID 83687.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alton (Al) C.S. Ward, please visit our floral store.