Ward's Klamath Funeral Home

The new company will operate under the name O’Hair — Wards Funeral Chapel at 515 Pine St. in Klamath Falls. The property at 1945 Main Street will be sold by Jim Ward’s estate.Jason Ward, Funeral Director for Wards Klamath Funeral Home acknowledges that it is the end of an era. Jason’s great-grandparents, Andrew and Marquerite Ward, established Wards Klamath Funeral Home in 1932. Their son, Willard Ward and his wife, Joyce Ward, joined them in the business in 1935. James Ward, Willard and Joyce Ward’s son, carried on the tradition together with the help of Jim’s wife, Claudia Ward.Jason Ward, Jim’s son, carried on the tradition as the fourth generation when Jim Ward’s health declined and following Jim Ward’s death in July 2015. All four generations of the Ward family were active in the Klamath Basin holding memberships in Kiwanis, The Lions Club, Rotary, Soroptomist, The Elks Club and the Oregon Funeral Directors Association, where Willard and James were past Presidents.James Ward also was appointed by former Gov. John Kitzhaber to the Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board where he carried out two terms.Jason Ward indicates that while family-run funeral homes continue to operate, they are no longer the norm. Mel Ferguson, attorney for the estate of James Ward, indicates that the more common business model is that a single owner or group of owners operate several funeral homes in order to take advantage of economies of scale.On behalf of the entire Ward Family, Jason Ward wishes to extend the Ward family’s sincere thanks to families in the Klamath Basin that have entrusted Wards Klamath Funeral Home with helping their family in times of need over the past many years, the release said.Jason Ward and the entire Ward family wish to thank O’Hair Funeral Chapel for the opportunity to merge businesses and wish them continuing success in their efforts to serve the Klamath Basin and carry on the good work of the Ward family.