Thomas Ward, 75, of Rapid City, SD, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2021, at Department of Affairs Fort Meade hospital at Fort Meade, SD.

He was born on September 7, 1945, in White Clay, NE, to Dorothy Ward and Earl Grant. In 1974, he married Ethel Ward, and together they raised their children, Tamera Wiswell and Robert Blackbird. He was an Army Marksman Veteran of 1965, after his days in the army he spent some time catering food to the firefighters and washing windows, before he retired.

Thomas is survived by his daughter, Tamera Wiswell (Rob); step-son, Robert Blackbird, and son, Richard O'Donnell (Christine); brother, Bill Wegner (Kim); sister, Patricia Witt (Bentley); his two grandchildren, Kelly Main (Jacob), and Christopher Blackbird; six very loved great-grandchildren, Michael, Emma, RaeLynn, Diesel & Alexis Main (Kelly and Jacob) and Liam Blackbird (Christopher); numerous nieces, nephews; and special friends, Alan Rickle, Ruthie Frasier (Weiner), and Woody.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; wife, Ethel Ward; niece, Stephanie Stetson; cousin, Lorraine Ward; and friends, Colin Coomes, Milton "Bucky" Moss, and Tom Kirby.

The family would like to give a special thank you to VA Fort Meade, E ward for their excellent care.