ALWARD, Harold (Ted)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, April 21, 2012 Harold "Ted" Alward, born June 29, 1919, in Middletown, Mo., died April 2, 2012, in Prescott, Ariz. Ted, the youngest of four children, was raised by his father, Cameron (his mother Katherine had died a few years after his birth) in Anderson, Calif., where he developed his solid work ethic, walking to school - a one-room schoolhouse - after arising at 4 a.m. each morning to milk the cows at his father's dairy farm. Later, during the Depression, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Southern California; then, after Pearl Harbor and the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, with which he served overseas in North Africa. He returned to California after the war and married Laura Woods. Ted and Laura started their family of five children, Kathy Flower August, Laurie Eakes, Steve Alward, Peggy Collette and Pamela Ruelas. He worked at various jobs and then he learned the pest control business. He and Laura opened their own company in Sacramento, and Ted became an "expert bug man." He retired from pest control at age 77, moving in 1996 to Prescott, where he became an integral part of the community, caring for others, loving his children, 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. His membership in the United Methodist Church, and his volunteer work at Sharlot Hall Museum, especially at the Fremont House, kept him busy and happy. He was a godsend to his family and his jokes and stories kept all laughing. He loved working in his children's yards and could often be seen mowing the lawn and watering at his son's bike shop. His big smile and gentle caring ways will be sorely missed. As he quoted his grandpa, John Thorton Alward Sr., "Dod draught it, hate to leave you. Going to a better world, see you there." For service information, please contact Ted's family. The family wants to thank the crew at the Prescott Center Adult Day Services, which Dad called the "Club," as well as the amazing staff at the V.A. Hospital. Please visit Ted's guestbook at www.ruffnerwakelin.com and share a memory with the family. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin assisted the family with arrangements. Information provided by survivors.