Michael Kenneth Ward

May 24, 1948 — May 3, 2024

Sedona

Michael Kenneth Ward
May 24, 1948 – May 3, 2024

Michael Kenneth Ward died suddenly at home on May 3, 2024

Mike was born May 24, 1948, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to the late Dolores and Kenneth Ward. He lived in Kalamazoo until 1964, when his father was transferred and the family moved to Lombard, Illinois. He graduated from Glenbard East High School in 1966. He then continued his education at Western Illinois University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts in 1970. After college he volunteered for the Army, where he did advanced training in Military Intelligence and served in the U.S. and South Korea until 1973. Using the G.I. Bill, he continued his education, earning a Master of Science Degree in Education in 1975, a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Administration in 1977, and a Doctor of Education in 1981.

Mike began his teaching career in 1973 at Hinsdale Central High School in Hinsdale, Illinois. He then took a position as Assistant Dean of Vocational Education at Morton College in Cicero, Illinois. In 1983 he accepted a position as Dean of Vocational Education at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, a community college of 35,000 students. Mike finished his career in the classroom as a Program Coordinator, developing a new technology program in computer-aided design and parametric 3-D modeling, for which he wrote and published a textbook.

Mike retired to Sedona in 2002, where he was actively involved in community service and leadership roles. From 2010 through 2014 he served on Sedona City Council and was currently running for Council again. He was a lifetime member of Friends of the Forest and served that organization as Vice President for 2 years and President for 2 years, in addition to volunteering at the visitor center for a half day a week for 12 years. For 14 years he volunteered with Verde Search and Rescue (Yavapai County Sherrif’s Office), serving 6 years as captain and 2 years as training officer. For the past several years he was a volunteer with the Field Service Unit of the Sedona Police Department. As a proud veteran he most recently joined Sedona Area Veterans and Community Outreach (SAVCO).

Mike was especially interested in model railroading and the geology of the Sedona area. As a result of his interest and research he published a book entitled So, Why Are the Rocks Red? Also, he had been teaching two classes at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), one on mass extinction events and the other on the geology of the Sedona area.

Mike is survived by his wife Linda; son Jason (Elizabeth) Ward; daughter Kristen (Adam) Hirsch, stepson Sean (Cynthia) Ireland; sisters Janice (Gregory) Blum and Margaret (Craig) Bolas; sister-in-law Frances (Theodore) Dusek; grandchildren Grace and Adeline Ward and Austin and Olivia Hirsch.

Mike was well-loved and will be missed by many.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution in Mike’s name to SAVCO, P.O. Box 3733, Sedona, AZ 86340

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Michael Kenneth Ward

May 24, 1948 — May 3, 2024

Sedona

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