John Ward has passed away.

#151
#151
I grew up in the 90?s and my dad loved to listen to John Ward. So much so that we would mute the tv and listen to him on the radio. As a kid I loved listening to John but would get so annoyed that he always said what happened before I saw it. Looking back now I would have rather just turned the tv off because he truly could paint the picture of what was happening. A great Vol was lost today.


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#152
#152
The world is truly a little darker with the passing of John Ward.
We all enjoyed something truly great listening to him. Simply THE BEST!!
 
#155
#155
My wife walked in the living room and wonder why I had tears. Well, that's because my earliest memories are of my dad working in the garage while listening to Mr. Ward on a transistor raido on a high, blue sky day in October.
 
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#156
#156
I have had the privlidge of listening to broadcasts of Tennessee football games since before 1940. I have heard almost all of the best radio announcers in the history of College football call football games. None have ever been close to the best, John Ward. I cried tonight when I told my wife about his passing. To me, Mr. Ward and Gen. Neyland are the faces of Tennessee athletics. We will miss his appearances but his voice will live forever in memories of Tennessee.
 
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#158
#158
TN Jed said:
My wife walked in the living room and wonder why I had tears. Well, that's because my earliest memories are of my dad working in the garage while listening to Mr. Ward on a transistor raido on a high, blue sky day in October.
Click to expand...

Me too man.... me too.

Ward painted a picture of the game like no other. Me and my dad used to listen to him all the time. Football and basketball.... I know I'm biased, but I think he's the GOAT.
 
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#160
#160
I have so many wonderful memories that were created by John Ward’s brilliance. Thank you, John, for igniting my imagination through your creativity and voice.
 
#161
#161
Sad day in Big Orange Country. I always hoped he would come back and do some part of another game for ole times' sake. A great ambassador for The University of Tennessee. Always just the right touch of class and dignity.
 
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#163
#163
Grew up listening to him. Took that for granted. So many memories with family when we'd mute the TV and turn up the radio to hear his calls. He imprinted me with love for UT.
 
#164
#164
John Ward provided the soundtrack to so many great memories and seemed to be a really good man. Sadly his kind won't come along again. Rest in peace.
 
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#165
#165
We will miss you John. You will always be a beloved Volunteer. I will always distinctly remember listening to you call the 98 Florida game. "No sir reee. No sir reee. "
 
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#167
#167
John Ward was the voice of my people.

Many a Fall Saturday was spent with my Papaw listening to John on WIVK.

Later on getting cable and muting Keith Jackson and turning up the radio.

Part of my childhood died tonight.

RIP to a true legend.
 
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#169
#169
There will never be another voice for Tennessee to me. I mean no disrespect to good ol' Bob, but John was the man. Period.
 
#171
#171
We used to sit in the car in my grandfather's gravel driveway listening to John do the play by play. For some reason, it was the only way back then to get a clear broadcast from Collierville (close to Memphis). Especially during basketball season when it seemed like the signal wasn't as strong. SO MANY INCREDIBLE MEMORIES. I still recall sitting in Granddaddy Eddie's big Buick and listening to John describe a frosh ballplayer he called "King of the Volunteers" score 42 points in his very first game on the Hill. Sitting in the dark under the Tennessee stars, still brings electricity up and down my spine at the thought of that night and so many others. Godspeed, Mr. Ward!

P.S. It's impossible to ever go back to those times, but I will always grieve in particular for the loss of those Saturdays when John and Bill would set up a table down at the bottom of the Hill and fans would gather round them to listen for a couple of hours before game time....nothing can ever match that.
 
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#172
#172
He sure did give his all for the Tennessee Volunteers. God bless and prayers for him, his family and all of volnation.
 
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