Denver Ray Ard was born to Ray and Alma Ard on February 11, 1938. He departed this life on October 14, 2021, at Ozarks Healthcare, West Plains, Missouri, at the age of 83.
He married the love of his life, Maxene Randolph on March 7, 1959. They celebrated 62 years together on March 7th of this year. Denver and Maxene began their life together at Sherman, IL, where he worked making stove bolts, alongside his father, Ray, and two brothers, Johnie and Clinton, for three years. Later, he moved back to Eminence, Missouri, and started working for Francis Wood in the feed store and as a mechanic. Denver later started his own garage in West Eminence and from there he built the garage in Eminence. Later, he went to work driving a school bus for the Eminence R-1 school district and working as a mechanic until he retired. He loved kids and even though he didn’t have any of his own, he was a “father” to many.
Denver is survived by his wife, Maxene Ard of the home; sisters, Vertie Madison of Arizona, Vera Ard of Colorado, Betty Banks of Eminence, Doneta Randall and husband, Charles of Illinois, Norma Woffard and husband, Dwaine, of Mountain View, MO; one brother, Mike Ard and wife, Diana of Eminence; one brother-in-law, LeeRoy Randolph and wife, Ruby Jean of St. Louis, MO; four sisters-in-law, Nadine McCormick and husband, Jake of Eminence, Margret Ard, Darlene Ard, and Cheryl Lynn Ard; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Alma Ard; father and mother-in-law, Lloyd and Ruby Randolph; two sisters-in-law, Gay Randolph and Dorothy Ard; one sister, Vergie Miles; four brothers, Johnie, Clinton, Hearld, and Terry Ard; four brothers-in-law, Jim Wade, Paul Miles, Johnie Bland and Harold Banks; two nephews, Alan Bland and James Ard; and three nieces, Michelle Ard, Patty Miles, and Jane Ard.
Denver served as a deacon for several years, and he loves the Lord with all his heart. He was faithful in living and serving the Lord and always witnessing to his family about the coming of the Lord. We can rejoice today that he is completely healed and is rejoicing with his family who are already there.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 18, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Yarber Mortuary, Eminence, Missouri, with Pastor Randy Ferguson officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 17, 2021, from 6-8:00 p.m., also at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
