George Ward Jr. A native of Buncombe county and a current resident of Durham, N.C., unexpectedly passed away at his home on Monday August 22nd, 2016. He is survived by his parents George Ward Sr. and JoAnn Leading-Fox Ward, along with numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and extended family. He graduated from North Buncombe High School and was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At the time of his passing, he was employed at Duke University in IT Management. As an enrolled member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, he was proud of his Native American heritage. In respect to him, the tribal flag of the Pawnee on the reservation will be flown at half-mast for four days. In addition to his "birth family", George was blessed with a wide and extensive circle of friends who valued and appreciated their friendship. His "Carolina brothers" will honor him by serving as his pallbearers at his internment. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 27th, 2016 in the Robbie Capps Memorial Chapel of Blue Ridge Funeral Service with Rev. Daniel (Danny) Jenkins officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. The 'Going Home' song of the Pawnee Nation will be sung by one of his cousins. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Online condolences can be sent to: www.blueridgefuneralservice.org