Matthew Ward Lusk (Ward to those who knew him), of San Angelo, passed away on January 1, 2021 just three days shy of his 56th birthday. He was born on January 4, 1965 in San Antonio, TX, to parents Gene and Mary Lou (Duke) Lusk.
Ward grew up in San Angelo after his parents moved there in 1969. He attended Johnson St. church of Christ throughout his childhood. Ward was a very talented child, learning the piano and achieving many awards for his skills in playing. He played and loved baseball for much of his childhood. He was a talented student, receiving all A’s throughout most of his grade school years. He loved math and was an accomplished writer, receiving awards and recognition for his stories.
Ward attended Central High School in San Angelo and graduated in 1983 after which he attended Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond Oklahoma for two years before returning to San Angelo and transferring to Angelo State University. He graduated in 1990 from ASU with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Ward met his future wife, Malinda (Mindy) Smith in 1978. They were both children and grew up knowing each other’s family and friends. They themselves became friends in college and started dating in 1997. Ward and Mindy were married on December 4, 1999 at Johnson St. church of Christ in San Angelo, where they made their home.
Ward held many jobs over the course of his life. He sold paint, armored cars, did insurance adjusting, traded stocks, and sold cars. The last 12 years of his life, he found his niche. Ward was a trainer for MultiChem, Haliburton, JLBar, TLC, and Thomas Oil Services, consecutively. He lost his job with Thomas Oil Services early in 2020, but had been working on possible opportunities to get back into training. He was a talented speaker. He had a way of making everyone in the room believe he was speaking directly to them. People thought he cared about them, because he genuinely did.
Ward and his family moved to Houston in 2009, when Ward was transferred there with MultiChem. He flourished as the Director of Training and became deeply involved in activities at Champions church of Christ. The eight years they spent living, growing, and worshiping in Houston were some of the best of his life. Following a series of lay-offs in 2015, Ward moved his family back to San Angelo and started working for JLBar. His family renewed their membership with Southgate church of Christ where they had been members from 2002 until they moved to Houston. He remained active and involved until his death.
Ward was active in Christ’s church. Over the course of the years he served in many capacities. At times he was a teacher, a deacon, a leader in Leadership Training for Christ (LTC), a youth minister intern, a college minister, and, at all times, a true servant. He served as a board member for San Angelo Christian Academy where his wife teaches and all three of his children attend school. His unofficial duties included managing the school’s swim team and substitute teaching on occasion.Virtually every activity in which Ward engaged was something that would benefit his family directly or indirectly. His family was his joy, his pride, and his main concern.
Ward brought joy and humor to almost any situation. He could also be very serious and thoughtful. He lived each day with the goal in mind of serving God and touching lives. Although Ward was not a perfect man, he was perfectly aware of that and constantly strove to be better. Those who love him mourn together in our loss and celebrate together as we find joy in the knowledge that the imperfect has now been made perfect.
Ward was a gifted piano player, ball player, speaker, teacher, leader, play-write, and problem solver. He accomplished many great things in his life. It can be said without hesitation that his greatest accomplishment is that of bringing three amazing young men into this world and providing them with the tools they needed to come to Christ in baptism. His life was a success.
Ward is survived by his loving wife, Mindy; his sons, Grayson, Walker, and Davis; his parents, Gene and Mary Lou Lusk; his brother Paul and Paul’s lovely wife, Nicole; his parents-in-law, John and Carol Smith; nine nephews, two nieces, and a host of extended family and friends too numerous to mention. Ward was a beloved member of every community in which he was a part, and he will be missed beyond measure.
There will be visitation at Harper’s Funeral Home in San Angelo on Friday, January 8 from 4PM to 8PM. The funeral will be held at Johnson Street Church of Christ on Saturday, January 9 at 10:00 AM followed by a graveside service at Fairmount Cemetery.
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