Anthony “Tony” Ward, 85, Boone, Iowa
BOONE, Iowa—Anthony “Tony” Kent Ward, a beloved husband, cherished father, grandfather and friend, passed away on July 20, 2026, in Boone, Iowa at the age of 85. He was born on March 13, 1941, in Denver, Colorado, to Gwen Ward. Tony lived a life marked by hard work, commitment, and love.
A visitation will be held July 26th from 2pm to 4pm at Schroeder-Reimers memorial chapel.
Tony grew up on a farm east of Boone with his mother and grandparents, growing up in the days of party lines and graduating from United Community School District in 1959. Tony proudly earned his Associate’s Degree at Ellsworth Community College and served in the Armed Forces during this time. As a young man, when not at work, he enjoyed bowling. He stayed close to his grandparents, continuing to help them on the farm. At the age of 25, he started his work at John Deere Des Moines Works as a Machinist and then moved to become an Electrician. As a member of UAW Local 450, he advocated for others and was proud of his role as Vice President and Secretary of the local union. He made some lifelong friends at his workplace while bowling, playing softball and golfing. Tony retired April 30, 1995, after 30 years at John Deere.
Tony married Joan (Price) Garvey in 1964 and was immediately blessed with three stepchildren. Michael was born soon after and completed the family of six. After the Garvey children’s father passed away in 1968, Tony became their one and only dad and raised them as his own. Tony worked very hard and long hours at John Deere to support his family. Once the children were all raised and out of high school, he and Joan decided to divorce.
Tony was very proud to have completed RAGBRAI in 1986 with his son Randy. He was so looking forward to seeing the RAGBRAI riders pass by Eastern Star Masonic Home this year.
Tony then met the love of his life, JoAnn (Dorsey) Friedmeyer. They immediately fell in love and began a fun-filled life of motorcycling, travel and adventure. They were married December 1988, and he was again blessed with two additional stepchildren.
Tony and JoAnn escaped Iowa winters to live near Michael in Tucson. They missed their Iowa families and moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas for the best of both worlds – warmer winters and closer to Iowa. It’s here where they fell in love with and adopted Dooley, their beloved puppy. Dooley was a bright light in their lives. Then they decided to sell everything and travel the country for the next seven years, taking Dooley on the road with them. They did so in comfort and style in their 40’ Newmar Dutch Star motorhome where they traveled coast to coast. Tony loved to ride his bike and did so wherever they were camped.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, JoAnn Ward. Children: Randy (Sue) Garvey, Don Friedmeyer, Dody (Denny) Eppert, Kenni Jo Ghee, and Michael (Kimberly) Ward; fourteen grandchildren: Amber (Joe), Ben (Courtney), Nathan (Vinitza), Nicci, Holly, Jed, Scott (Stacey), Jacob, Cole (Tessa), Katelyn (Genaro), Callie, Dillon, Glenn, and Greg; and eighteen great grandchildren.
Tony was preceded in death by his grandparents Glenn and Edith LeVan, mother Gwen Ward, son Greg Garvey, and grandson Joseph Friedmeyer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Alzheimer’s Research, ARL, or Eastern Star Masonic Home Activities in Boone, IA.
About the Author
