Warbird Information Exchange

I first met Elmer in 1990, having received an invitation to stay with him and Lois, as well as flying in Man O'War to Madera. I was told to go to Disneyland Hotel and wait for him. It was late in the evening and as I sat there waiting an elderly gentleman and his wife drove up in their 66 Chevy Nova. That was Elmer arriving just as the fireworks went up at Disneyland. What an entry! After a few greetings we went over to their home in Tustin for the night. Next day we flew the 51 to Madera and during that weekend I got to experience his dry sense of humor and vast aeronautical knowledge first hand. He always had that quick reply I just love in people. About a year after my first visit while sitting in their hangar at Chino Lois was going through the pockets of his flight suit before washing it, and found a letter she had written to me some 8 months earlier. She confronted Elmer with this and complained about his inability to send me this note. Elmer gently took the letter out of her hand, gave it to me, looked back at Lois and said with a smile "No problem, he has received it!" Guys like Elmer are a scarce comodity these days, and I will always miss him, his smile, knowledge, enthusiasm, and gentle manner. Blue skies man, you were one of the good guys!

T J

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The memorial service for Elmer Ward was held Saturday at Chino airport. Here are a few photos, including the photo collage of my pics I put together for the event. I must say this was one of the most amazing, moving tributes I've ever seen for anybody. The family did an outstanding job of pulling together photos from the man's entire life and career with a soundtrack of appropriate music. The stories were amazing to hear. Bravo to the Mc of the event, Elmer's grandson Kelly, Brett Ward for his amazing stories of breaking in car engines at 30 miles an hour for 100 miles 40 for 100 miles, etc...,and Todd Ward for the incredible slide show as well as to Lois's sister who brought him to Lois and told of this "blonde man who doesn't drink, smoke or swear". They did such a great job of covering all the bases that nobody needed to step up to the mic to add anything afterwords. This event has filled my heart and soul with great memories and I now realize that those days at Chino and at airshows with Elmer and his supporting cast of great characters were some of the greatest moments of my life. I will have some more pics later. The only thing missing was a missing man formation.

Elmer's grandchildren:






Memorial collage of some great moments, including the first engine runs, taxi and takeoff and afterwards of the flight of the Gulfhawk Bearcat and the farewell photo mission at Tracy, two weeks before the crash.


John

Unfortunately I left Los Angeles on the Friday prior to the memorial or else I would have been there. Glad to hear that the old gentleman got a proper send off. He was truly remarkable!

T J

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Make my day, punk!