Leo Ward

Leo Ward, Dec. 12, 1927 to Oct. 16, 2017. On this morning, fresh clean dew was spread in the early dawn and the start of a glorious fall day was in the air. "This is my most favorite time of year," Leo Ward used to say during his 40 years as the Bluebird Man here in the Ozarks. Our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and dear friend, Leo passed during the crisp Monday morning of Oct. 16 at 7 a.m. This was the time he would always be up and ready to work, to step out and venture to create something new. Now he rests calmly for eternity. Leo grew up impoverished, struggling to stave off the jaws of the Depression, being raised by his aunt in the hills of eastern Kentucky. His life was hard, yet he had focused energy for education and developed skills for survival. His mind was good (he was called a "Philadelphia lawyer" in high school due to his sharp debate skills), and he was extremely creative, learning how to build and make the things he could not buy. During this time Leo gained many skills that would later aid him in building Terra Studios into a great artistic business, his second career. In the late 1940s, Leo joined the army for two hitches, which helped him find a road out of poverty and gave him the opportunity to experience other cultures and religious beliefs. His time spent in Korea kindled a passion for the study of Zen Buddhism, and though he wasn't an active practitioner, Zen proverbs remained interspersed in his thoughts and conversations forever after. Leo met Rita, his wife of 67 years, while stationed at Ft. Knox, Ky. Rita brought love into Leo's life, and together they had three children, Bill, Lyn, and John. Through decades of raising a family and pursuing educational and entrepreneurial endeavors on the side, they ended up in southern California as educators. Leo taught English and creative writing at Palomar College, where he enjoyed helping young minds express their emotions through words. During the heart of the '60s, Leo's search for the meaning of existence led him to more expressive ways of finding purpose in life. He decided to exercise his artistic side, which had taken a back seat, and enrolled in art classes at the college were he taught. He discovered a passion for glassblowing and, after taking a class three times and bonding with many young artists, the seed was set for his new life's work. Rita studied ceramics and pottery during this same period, and together, they changed paths. They spent four years developing their skills in California before heading to Arkansas to create Terra Studios in 1975. This was a big jump for them, as it meant turning from financial security and social acceptance to take a road fraught with many bumps and hardships. Fortunately, however, the outcome couldn't have been better—Leo and Rita built new lives filled tenfold with excitement, good friends, creative adventures, and a lasting legacy. Leo created the "Bluebird Of Happiness" in 1983, and that sparkling blue glass figure sparked a huge wave of success for Terra Studios. Leo enclosed a message of hope with each carefully crafted Bluebird and brought much joy and comfort to millions of people across the country and abroad. He also helped many people by creating jobs in his rural community and giving monetary gifts and loans to folks in need. He was a very bright man with knowledge in many subjects and was sought out by friends for engaging conversations. He'll be missed greatly and leaves a hole in the world he tried to improve. The family requests that, in lieu of any gifts, you share what you can with the Willard Walker Hospice House. They were magnificent in their care and concern for Leo's comfort, and gave fabulous support to all family members who were present during this difficult time. Please take a quiet moment to remember our beloved Leo's passing spirit. He was less than two months from his 90th birthday.