01/03/2020
Montgomery “Randy” Ward, age 50, of Knoxville, Iowa, passed away Friday, January 3, 2020, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.
Funeral services for Randy will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at the Winfield Funeral Home in Knoxville. A visitation with Randy’s family present will begin at 10:00 A.M. and continue until the start of service. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. Following burial services, a luncheon will be held at the VFW John Myers Post 3519, also in Knoxville.
Montgomery Rand “Randy” Ward was born on March 31, 1969, at Collins Hospital in Knoxville, Iowa, he was the youngest son of Merrill Eugene and Shirley Kay (Slycord) Ward. Randy was raised in Knoxville, where he attended school, and lettered in Football, Basketball, and Baseball. He was a Knoxville graduate of the Class of 1987. After high school, Randy went to Graceland College for one year and played baseball. He returned to Knoxville and worked various jobs around the area until his health declined.
Randy had a passion for sprint car racing. He collected sprint car memorabilia and for eight years he worked as a team member and later the semi-driver for Mark Kinser Racing. Randy also had a love for dogs, and he leaves behind two very special dogs; Harley and Fatboy.
Randy is survived by his daughter, Kassi Ward of Indianapolis, Indiana; parents, Merrill and Shirley Ward of Knoxville; siblings, Rusty Ward of Oskaloosa, Monty (Jackie) Ward of Tyler, Texas, Michelle (Scott) Douglas of Arp, Texas, Holly (Greg) Shelford of Knoxville, Tony (Hollie) Ward of Tyler, Texas, and Melissa Stewart of Knoxville. Randy is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Randy is preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents.
Memorials may be given in Randy’s memory to Marion County Humane Society, P.O. Box 655, Knoxville, IA 50138.