Luther Ward, Jr., 26, of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Sunday, September 4, 2022 at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital. The son of Luther Ward, Sr. and Bea'Trece D. Deleon, he was born at the family's residence on Sunday, May 19,1996 in Jacksonville. Luther attended Palatka High School, Beasley Middle School and RCMA HEADSTART in Palatka. He relocated with his mom and siblings to Valdosta, GA in February 2012. Luther was a 2015 graduate of Valdosta High School in Valdosta, GA. He was also a 2nd year student at St. Leo University studying criminal justice to work in law enforcement. Luther was of Christian faith. He was a former member of Victorious Faith COGIC. He was employed at Kourish Trucking Industries as an over the road truck driver. He enjoyed life, especially being a father to his daughter and he immensely loved his fiancé, Alashia.  He enjoyed fishing, traveling overseas and experimenting with other cultures and foods. He especially loved Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas - they were his favorite vacation spots. He spent a great deal of time with Rowena and Sandra as mother figures and Demetrius and Dontae like brothers. He loved to hang out at his sister, Janie's house. His dream was to become wealthy and buy a big home for his mother and entire family to live together.

He was preceded in eternal rest by his maternal great grandparents , James and Annie Wright; paternal great grandparents , Mamie and Lester Culver; Tony and Margaretta Williams; paternal grandfather , Alvin Hall Ward; brother-in-law, Sgt. Joseph Murray.

He leaves to cherish his memories: father, Luther Ward, Sr., Jacksonville; mother , Bea'Trece D. DeLeon, Macon, GA; siblings , Christopher A. Ward, Jacksonville; Lu-Thoner D. Ward, Jeremiah I. Brown, both of Macon, GA; Janie B. Murphy, Columbia, SC; Charr-Donaye B. Brown, Miami; daughter , Amylah R. Thompson Ward; fiancé , Alashia Thompson, Abbeville, GA; maternal grandparents , Edwin and Louvenia Crosby; paternal grandmother , Hailey Sue Ward; aunts and uncles , Diana (Joseph, Sr.) Williams; Tracy C. Anderson, Calvin Ward, Toya Crosby; Sophia L. Molina; Doug Ward, Calvin Ward, Jacksonville; Freddie (Annie) DeLeon; Terry (Ann) Crosby; Alexander (Ester) DeLeon, Jr.; James DeLeon; special friends , Devontae Phillips, Demetrius Phillips, Desmond Chandler, Kimberly Hendrieth, Rowena Mack; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation of family and friends will be 12 noon - 3 p.m. with Celebration of Life commencing at 3 p.m., Saturday, September 17, at "Flagg's Chapel of Serenity." Bishop G. L. Evans, Jr., eulogist, Elder Travis Reynolds, officiating, Palatka House of God Church. Interment will be in Oak Hill West Cemetery.