James Carson Ward Jr. was born in Sullivan County, Tennessee, on January 9, 1975, to the late Carson Ward and Annie Edwards Ward.

He started fighting fires on February 15, 1998. He was very passionate about being in forestry and fighting fires.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Karen Hartsock Ward; sons, Hagan Ward and Braxton Fansler; sisters, Janice Hall, Connie Ward, Sharon Ward, and Anna Greene; special cousin, Billy Ward; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, his brother Earl Ward, and his niece Santana Keith preceded him in death.

The family would like to extend their special thanks to the Virginia Department of Forestry and all medical staff for their love and care of James.

James passed away on March 30, 2024, at Holston Valley Medical Center. He died doing what he loved.