Lena Ward loves God, loves to cook and enjoys getting out and enjoying life. She also has stage 4 cancer.
David Ward is her husband of 21 years. He has been with the Farragut Public Works Department for 23 years, and he’s well-liked by his coworkers. It’s been a rough year, he says, but they’ve gotten through it with a lot of support from their church and town of Farragut staff.
Logan Simpkins joined the department’s parks crew four years ago, and David helped him learn the day-to-day operation of the crew, he says.
“We got close. He’s a really good friend.”
That’s why it was a “no-brainer” for Logan to step up to help the Wards. He’s a longtime golfer who has worked for both Fox Den and Gettysvue country clubs, and he’s participated in many charity tournaments. He decided to pitch in by putting together a tournament at Springbrook Golf and Country Club in Niota to raise money to help the Wards with medical bills.
“He’s always helping somebody around here. He’s just a good guy to be around,” Logan says of David. “It was kind of easy for me to say, ‘Let me do this for you.’”
The response to the tournament has been good, but Logan would like to have a few more teams sign up. He’s playing on a team with Public Works Director Bud McKelvey and Jeff Williams, another long-time member of the department. Town Administrator David Smoak is also heading up a team. Other staff members who don’t play plan to contribute, Logan says.
“It’s great that the Public Works guys have rallied around Lena and David during this difficult time. This is a great opportunity to support them,” says Smoak.
David Ward isn’t planning to play, but Logan has asked him to come to the tournament with Lena and Austin, their son, to open the event with a prayer.
Lena is still receiving chemotherapy, and recent scans have shown improvement. David is staying optimistic.
“Thanks for praying,” he says.
Springbrook Golf and Country Club is at 123 Country Club Road in Niota. Four-player teams are $125 per player or $500 per team. There will be cash prizes for winners and prizes for the longest drive and closest to the pin. Sign up by Oct. 8 by calling Logan at 865-214-3598. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m.
Town of Farragut marketing and public relations coordinator Wendy Smith is your reliable Farragut insider.