Fred West “Freddie” Ward was born in Carlsbad on August 12, 1950 to Sonny and Jody Ward. He was the oldest of four Ward children and by far the most daring! He could ride a wheelie on a motorcycle from 6th Street to Mesa Street and he did it many times. He was an accomplished flat-tracker, dirt biker, trials rider and drag racer. His black BMW street bikes and his loud Ducati were legendary in the 60’s and 70’s around Carlsbad. So were his ’69 Mach I, his ’67 El Camino and the hot rod ’34 Ford truck he got from his dad. He set the pace for his younger brother and sisters to follow with a lead foot and a strong passion for horsepower.
Freddie’s one true love was motorcycles. He owned and rode hundreds of them in his lifetime, and he loved every one of them. He also had a huge love for dogs. Anyone who knew him was sure of this. His pit bull Rattler was his best friend for many years, riding in the sidecar Fred put on his motorcycle just for him. He was never without a dog buddy. Ever.
He was a man of deep dedication to family with strong values. Honest, hardworking and old school all the way, Fred cared nothing about what people thought of him – he was devoted to his son, his family, his dogs, and living a simple honest life in privacy. He built slot car and electric train tracks for his collections and loved using them. He tinkered on motorcycles, lathes and absolutely any mechanical thing he could lay his hands on… there was nothing he couldn’t do with his own hands. His mind was incredible with wisdom and intelligence, although he was a very quiet man. If you were ever fortunate enough to hear him laugh, you will never forget his laughter, it was so real. His knowledge of Carlsbad history and his wealth of funny stories was priceless, especially stories of the many wild adventures he and his friends had racing and outrunning the police.
Fred graduated from Carlsbad Sr. High with the Class of ’69 after which he began a long career with GTE (General Telephone) all over New Mexico, Texas and Alaska. He owned Quality Cycle Sales for a lot of years, was an independent welder and a lifetime motorcycle mechanic. He lived all of his life in New Mexico, mostly in Carlsbad but for many years in Hay Canyon of the Sacramento Mountains near Mayhill where he built his own cabin.
Fred passed into God’s care peacefully on April 6, 2022 in his home with his son and surrounded by his three faithful dogs. He is preceded in death by his parents Sonny and Jody Ward, and his brother Les Ward. He is survived by his son Nathan Powers; his sisters Becky Miller and Lou Ward, his nephews Hank and Jody Miller, and Les Patrick; his nieces Jaimie Stephens and Jesse Patrick; and many cousins whom he loved, especially Bobby and Tate Branch of Artesia and Reed Price of Carlsbad.
In accordance with his wishes, there will be no funeral nor memorial service. Freddie will be cremated and his ashes scattered in the Sacramento Mountains with those of his mother and brother. In lieu of flowers, he would like donations made to Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter in his name. Anyone with a good story about Fred is invited to share them on the West Funeral Home website so we can all remember him with a smile in our hearts.
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