Obituary – Bobby “Bob” Ward Jr.
Bobby Ray “Bob” Ward Jr., age 68, departed this life on May 25, 2026 at home in Portales, N.M., surrounded by loved ones.
Upon receiving diagnosis of rectal cancer and Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) two weeks apart, he fought and overcame the cancer, and faced LBD head-on with faith, grace, strength and humor.
He was a blessing to those around him. Bob had a strong work ethic, warm personality, and earned the respect of friends and employers.
Bob was born November 12, 1957, in St. Louis, Mo., to Bobby Ray Ward Sr., of Texas County, Mo., and Lucille Mae Pritchett, later Mason, of St. Francois County.
Bob was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Lynna and Sydney Hobbs, of Texas County. During his school years, he was known as Bobby Ray Hobbs. At the age of seven, he went to live with his paternal grandmother, Effie Ward, in Houston, later living in several foster homes during high school.
After attending Houston Public Schools, Bob transferred to Licking so he could attend vocational-technical school in Rolla. He loved sports and lettered in football and track and field, setting a lifelong love of being physically fit.
He was a member of the award-winning Licking High School Debate Club, earning recognition among his peers as a formidable debater. He was a member of the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA), traveling to Washington, D.C. to accept the National VICA Speech Award.
Bob studied electronics at Rolla Technical Institute, graduating second in his class in 1976. Upon graduating, he took a position with the Rolla Sound Center. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, while working two jobs and raising a family. He spent 20 years in the profession of procurement.
While working at Rolla Sound Center, he caught the eye of one of the owner’s daughters who frequently visited the store. Bob bravely asked his boss for permission to take her out. It was a savvy move by a young man who had already figured out the best way to win the heart of a beautiful girl.
Bob and Marta Ann Martin married on September 4, 1978, in St. James, Mo. They welcomed two cherished children: Natalie Jeanne, born in Springfield, Mo., and Kristofer Martin, born in Oklahoma City, Okla. During their marriage, they lived in Rolla and Springfield, Mo., Norman and Alva, Okla.; and Lufkin, Houston, and Cypress, Texas. Bob was baptized at the Church of Christ in St. James, Mo.
Bob played softball and volleyball, but truly loved bicycling, riding hundreds of miles a year and participating in tournaments and cycling clubs in Lufkin and Houston, Texas. Bob was also a gifted portrait and wedding photographer who blessed many throughout Texas with his outstanding photography.
When Marta and both of their children were diagnosed with myotonic muscular dystrophy, Bob became deeply involved in fundraising efforts and MDA telethons for many years.
God later blessed Bob by bringing Debra Denise Dye, of La Porte, Texas, into his life. They met at a church outing in Webster, Texas, and quickly grew to deeply love and respect one another. Debra brought renewed joy, love, and enthusiasm into the lives of Bob and his children. They married on May 25, 2019, in Portales, where Debra grew up.
Bob and Debra lived in Cypress and Portales and were known as a loving, spiritual couple who walked closely with God. They enjoyed Christian concerts, biking, working out, and spending time together. Bob was a devoted father with a wonderful sense of humor, constantly sparring with Kris over sports and games, and his deep love for Natalie always shone through.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Debra; daughter Natalie and son Kristofer, all of Portales; half-sister Carolyn Sue Pritchett Huelsing (Ken), of St. Louis, Mo.; half-brothers Daniel Queen Avalonne (Patti), of Ore., and Thomas Daniel Avalonne (Cheryl), of Old Bridge, N.J.; sisters-in-law Marione Derrickson Martin (Lynn), of Alva, Okla., Judy Jeanne Martin Doering (Harlan), of Tyler, Texas, Tara Lee Martin Calhoun, of Norman, Okla., and Katherine Dye Payton (James Stephen), of Lubbock, Texas; brother-in-law Brian Durwood Murphy-Dye (Jennifer), of Albuquerque, N.M.; and a multitude of nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marta; his parents; grandparents Charles Marvin Ward, Effie Mendenhall Ward, Thomas Sherman “Tomie” Pritchett, and Blanche Marie Myers; uncle Charles Edward Ward; and brothers-in-law Lynn Luther Martin and Kurt Reynolds Martin.
A family graveside service will be held in the Portales Cemetery. Donations in memory of Bob may be made to: Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc., P.O. Box 7410354, Chicago, IL 60674-0354.
