There is bad news and sad news and sometimes bad, sad news.
Barbara Ward, wife of legendary broadcaster John Ward, has died. She was injured in an auto accident in west Knox County on July 14, on her way home from visiting John in the hospital.
She died July 20. John remains hospitalized, recovering from a medical procedure. He has acknowledged condolences and get-well wishes.
“Everybody knows what John Ward meant to the University of Tennessee,” said Phillip Fulmer, former coach and now consultant. “Everybody may not know that Barbara was his strength, his support, his encouragement.
“We are all saddened by this loss.”
The Wards, married 62 years, lived private lives in the Fox Den community, sheltered from the spotlight of his career.
“By choice, there were two different worlds,” said Steve Early, general manager of the Vol Network and a close friend of the Wards.
On off days, John nurtured flowers and greenery in what some of us called his “Garden of Eden.”
Barbara was the epitome of class and dignity. She was an avid reader. She loved to travel. She enjoyed needlework. She was an excellent cook. She was very interested in technology, even social media.
“Barbara had considerable computer skills,” said Early. “John, at the other extreme, can’t reset his clock.”
Barbara attended Tennessee football games in years past.
“She sat on the row in front of me at Neyland Stadium,” recalled Sarah West. “She was a beautiful person.”
Sarah wouldn’t say if Barbara skipped games when it rained.
It is an understatement to say John was/is famous. He was named Tennessee sportscaster of the year 28 times. Level four of the stadium press box is named the John Ward Broadcast Center. The UT senior class of 1998 named a campus pedestrian greenway in honor of Ward and retiring UT president Joseph E. Johnson.
By design, Barbara was seldom in the news. Or rare occasions, she attended UT functions when she and John were involved. In 1994, they made a large gift to the UT athletic department. They never bragged about it but my best guess was something over $2 million.
Ward always described his Vol Network duties as a hobby. He has been in the advertising business since graduating from UT in 1954 – with a law degree.
“Barbara and John met at an advertising agency, Lavidge and Davis,” said Early.
Barbara Tallent Ward grew up in Blount County. She was an Everett High graduate. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Tennessee. She added a law degree.
It was rumored that her law grades were better than John’s. The federal government masked academic results and thwarted my formal comparison. John’s only comment provided a clue.
“She had books.”
Neither practiced law.
Concord United Methodist is their church. Fulmer said he and Vicky have intersected with the Wards while hiking in the Smokies. Early said their favorite dinner place was Foothills Milling Company.
Private graveside services are planned for next week.
Marvin West invites reader reaction. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com