We received this email from Gretchen on May 9th:

"It's over. Nelson Ward lost his battle with pancreatic cancer last Monday, May 2, 2016.  He had survived his diagnosis for almost two years.  He certainly was a trooper!  Gretchen"

Nelson Edward Ward, age 70, died on May 2, 2016.  He was born in Niagara Falls, New York...the son of the late Harold and Florence Ward.  He leaves behind his wife, Gretchen, two sons, Aaron (Michelle) and children, Johnathon, Jeoffrey, and Gwendolynne, and Shawn (Caycee) and children, Taylor and Benjamin, a brother, Carl, and his beloved cat, Elvis. Nelson graduated from Wilson Central School in Wilson, New York and earned an Associate Degree in Horticulture at SUNY in Morrisville, New York.  He served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 -- 1971.  He worked in Security at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for over 30 years.  All his life, he was passionate about trains; he loved riding on trains and building model trains.  He enjoyed the Silver Sneakers Classes at the West Side YMCA and found great peace as he worked in his flowerbeds.  He was a member of Concord United Methodist Church in Farragut.  Support from many friends has been instrumental in his surviving pancreatic cancer for almost two years.  Now, his spirit is free to be with everyone who knew this quiet, loving man!  A visitation and memorial service will be held at Concord UMC on Friday, May 6th, at 2 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the West Side YMCA, 400 North Winston Road, Knoxville, TN 37909 or the Community Garden at Concord United Methodist Church, 11020 Roane Drive, Knoxville, TN 37934.