JAMES RICHARD "RICKY" WARD, JR., 17, of Crisfield, died Saturday, August 22, 2009 at McCready Memorial Hospital in Crisfield.

Born in Salisbury on December 9, 1991, he was the son of James Richard "Rick" Ward of Crisfield and the late Tamara T. "Tammy" Ward, who died October 27, 2006.

Ricky was a 2009 graduate of Crisfield High School where he was active in track and soccer. He volunteered at the Salvation Army Youth Club and was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church. He was employed as a waiter at The Cove Restaurant in Crisfield, which he enjoyed. He had planned to attend Wor-Wic Community College in the fall.

In addition to his father, he is survived by his step-mother, Jessie Ward; his paternal grandparents, Earl Richard "Dicky" Jr. and Peggy Jean Ward; his maternal grandmother, Iva Jean Somers; and his paternal great-grandmother, Maxine Ward, all of Crisfield; three half-sisters, Jeana Jones of Crisfield, Lara Sterling of North Carolina, and Mindy Lewis and husband, Gavin, of Marion; one half-brother, Eric Jones and wife, Windi, of Tennessee; three aunts and two uncles, Kathy Ward of Marion, Les and Jane Pruitt of Crisfield, and Billy and Karen Hartman of Westover; several nieces and nephews; many special friends; and one very special friend, Caitlin Dryden of Pocomoke.

Along with his mother, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Carlton Lorenzo Tawes; and his great-grandparents, Earl Ward, Sr., Eddie and Helen Ward, Lester and Annie Lawson, and Carlton and Dora Tawes.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 3PM at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield where friends may call two hours prior. The Rev. Terry Riggin will officiate. Interment will follow in Sunnyridge Memorial Park in Crisfield.

To send condolences to the family, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com