WARD, Roy B.

Norvel Owens Mortuary, Flagstaff, Arizona Roy Burton Ward (September 12, 1941 - October 15, 2015) Roy B. Ward, 74, died in Flagstaff, Arizona on Thursday, Oct. 15th, 2015, surrounded by his family: his wife Jill Jordan; his son Ryan Ward; and his daughter and son-in-law Zoe and Steve Lonetti. A Phoenix native, Roy earned his law degree from the University of Arizona and, with first wife Martha Blue, established in 1967 the initial DNA (Dinébe’iiná Náhiilna be Agha’diit’ahii, Attorneys Who Contribute to the Revitalization of the Navajo People) Legal Services office in Tuba City to provide legal help to the unrepresented Navajo, Hopi and Paiute tribal members during the Indian Civil Rights Movement. He later worked in the Micronesian Legal Services program in the Eastern Caroline Islands. When he returned to Arizona, Roy entered private practice with offices in Flagstaff for over 30 years, and for nearly 20 years had a satellite office in Tuba City. In private practice, he continued protecting individual rights with noteworthy cases while also focusing on personal injury matters. He will be remembered for his ethical and compassionate legal services and his legal work in Indian country. As a devoted family man, Roy never missed one of Zoe’s dance recitals or Ryan’s soccer games. He cherished spending time at home with his loved ones until the end. Roy had a great sense of humor and was an avid sports enthusiast. It should be noted that all unpaid sports bets are now null and void! In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by his niece Debbie Hurst, her husband Craig and their children and grandchildren; Martha Blue, his friend and Zoe’s mother; and his lifelong best friend Adolfo Quezada. His parents Ralph and Sophronia “Bodie” Ward, sister Jean Davis, and brother Vaun Ward predeceased him. An informal celebration of his life will be held from 2-4pm on Saturday, October 24th at Little America in Flagstaff, at which time family and friends are invited to share memories. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Flagstaff Family Food Center, P.O. Box P, Flagstaff, AZ 86002, or KNAU, P. O. Box 5764, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5764. Roy is gone but not forgotten and will be loved and missed dearly.