Steven Koyton Ward

Steven Koyton Ward was born on November 6th, 1955 in Pasadena, California to Parents Hugh Connell Ward and Josephine Koyton Ward. He was the third of five brothers, Gerard, Michael, Brian, and Grant. Also father to Victoria Monier Ward who passed away in her ninth month. Steve is survived by his wife Sereta Monier-Ward, younger brother Brian, daughter Monica, three grandchildren Ja’Niiya, Jalen, and Jahmir, niece Joya, two nephews, Tony and Eric, along with a host of great nephews and nieces.

Steve lived the majority of his life in California where he attended Miller Junior High School and graduated from Cupertino High School. His family also lived in Connecticut for a short time and he spent several years in Senatobia, Mississippi, where he attended Senatobia Jr. College and welcomed his daughter, Monica Shante, into the world. After leaving Senatobia he returned to California, and there reignited a relationship with Sereta Monier, mother of Victoria. Sereta and Steve moved to Tucson, Arizona where they wed and were never apart for 24 years.

During his time in Arizona, Steve worked many jobs but settled into and loved most his job at Sunflower Senior Living Community from which he retired. While working there he befriended many of the residents. His work experience and excellent work ethic incited in him a desire to become an HOA board member in his Tucson Mountain Ranch Community. He was soon thereafter nominated for and accepted the position of Board President. He carried this responsibility and privilege for over 6 years, helping to renew and sustain the community. Steven’s legacy will live on. The Board has decided to dedicate a commemorative plaque in honor of contributions.

Steve loved sports. His favorite was Football. He spent countless hours during the football season on both his computer and phone organizing stats and details on spread sheets, creating a calculated analysis of each game and chopping it up with friends and guests. For thirteen consecutive years he threw Superbowl parties which were the highlight of the year for him and most others. Covid-19 arrived and unfortunately the parties subsided. Steve loved to Golf. He played faithfully once a week and more when he had the chance. Through the years he enjoyed playing with all of his friends, even his wife- which you know he had to love the game to do that, since it was not her forte. But so very important to him was a group of players who became his weekly team members and golfing brothers.

His love of music was quite diverse. Steven’s favorite artist was James Brown. ‘Papa Don’t Take No Mess and ‘The Big Payback’, were his favorite songs. He also enjoyed Jazz and Classical music, artist such as The Yellow Jackets, Roy Ayers, Spyro Gyra and composers Beethoven, and Vivaldi. Many of you may not know that Steve played the piano, because he was too reserved to perform in front of others. He had mastered playing Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy, and the Country song ‘I believe in You’ by Don Williams.

About ten years ago Steve was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. At that time his Cardiologist said he was a walking miracle because his heart ejection fracture was only ten percent. But he was a fighter, and did not give up. Through hard work, exercise and Gods mercy his heart got stronger, so he was able to continue living a good life doing all the things that he loved. Gardening was one of them, he had a green thumb, and found relaxation in cultivating and maintaining a lovely yard and garden.

Just this last November Steve’s CHF began to worsen, his heart was enlarged and growing weaker again. After a few inpatient stays and almost a month on Hospice, he was finally able to rest. With one deep breath and a peaceful look in his eyes, Steve quietly succumbed on Wednesday, February 28th at 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Steven Koyton Ward was truly one of a kind. He was charming, funny, considerate, generous and caring. He met everyone with a warm smile and a bright sparkle in his eyes, that exuded kindness. His happy energy was refreshing and his laugh contagious. He was a very remarkable man. Steve loved his wife, his family, his friends, his home, his sports, and his life, which he lived to the fullest. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, until we meet him again.