J. S. Ward & Son, Inc. is celebrating a century of caring this year!
While it has not been all unicorns and rainbows, some very rewarding relationships have developed over the last 100 years.
The journey as a small family-owned business began in April of 1925. That spring, the agency was founded by Mr. Jesse Sterling Ward (affectionately called Fritz by many of his friends and colleagues and Grand-daddy Fritz by his family). It was an opportunistic time for many of the early citizens of our community as oil had just been discovered in the plains of Southeastern New Mexico. J. S. Ward set up shop on the corner of First and Main in conjunction with Mr. Clyde Guy and his service station. Guy Chevrolet still sits on that same corner, and the two families continue to conduct business together. This relationship, and many like it, define what it means to have cared for our community for over a century.
Approximately 20 years later, Fritz’s son Eddie (E. H.) Ward joined the family business. It was at this time that the agency took on its current name: J. S. Ward & Son, Inc. The two gentlemen worked together to build a business that cared for and insured many of their friends and pioneers in our budding community. When recalling the beginnings, the Ward family has maintained relationships with car dealerships, banks, law firms, and oilfield companies for over 100 years. The character of these two men is what laid the groundwork for the many generations that would build upon their foundation.
Fritz and his wife Margaret liked to travel. With son Eddie fully trained and on board, the two were able to escape more frequently to Colorado for long breaks during the hot summer months. Fritz loved a good cigar and enjoyed fishing the rivers in and around Lake City, Colorado. Fritz and Eddie were well-liked and began to build a reputation of stability and genuine care. In 1964, a gentleman named John Knight joined the agency as a producer and remained with the agency for the duration of his career. It was at this time, circa 1965, that Fritz began to transition to retirement. Interestingly enough, the agency purchased its first computer in 1968. Anyone might wonder if a technology upgrade or significant change such as adoption of technology drove Fritz toward retirement a little quicker. The challenge to properly implement technology that best serves its customers and employees remains a steady challenge in the agency today.
Unfortunately, in late 1974, Eddie, who was then the 2nd president of the family agency, was diagnosed with Leukemia. It was a short battle, and he passed in 1975. During Eddie’s fight, Fritz returned to the agency to help maintain the many relationships he had built in the first 50 years of the business. Also joining the agency upon Eddie’s death was Eddie’s widow Charlene Martin Ward. Up to this point, Mrs. Ward had been a stay-at-home wife and mother to three children: Steve, Jennie, and Sara. The insurance industry was full of men and just a few women – especially in ownership roles. Mrs. Ward obtained a temporary license to begin working in the agency and later passed the exam and gained the regular insurance license required to conduct business. She was known for her tough business acumen but appreciated for her fierce loyalty. To have Mrs. Ward on your side was a mark of high respect. As a reminder of the company’s past and a tribute to its beginnings, there is a policy currently hanging in the agency that was written for Charles R. Martin (father of Charlene) and produced by Mr. J. S. Ward, her father-in-law. It has been a family affair for a long time.
Also in 1975, son-in-law Steven Gary Sims joined the agency. Mr. Ward took Gary under his wing very early. The two men spent a lot of time at the B&B Newstand and Honey’s where the local businessmen gathered for coffee or an early morning cigarette break. Gary learned a lot from Mr. Ward. They became lifelong friends and comrades. Gary was not a local – hailing from Soddy Daisy, TN – so the time spent developing relationships at the local establishments was critical to the succession of the agency. Gary was the spouse of Eddie and Charlene’s youngest daughter Sara, whom he courted and married while at the University of the South at Sewanee, TN. Upon Eddie’s illness, they returned home to be with the family and put down roots in Artesia. Sara and Gary later became the third generation of owners in J. S. Ward & Son, Inc. In 1992, Steven Gary Sims became the 3rd president of the agency.
In the early 80’s, J. S. Ward & Son, Inc. made its first acquisitions: they purchased the Artesia Insurance Agency as well as the Ferguson Agency. It was soon after these purchases in 1987 that the agency adopted its first computer system. In 2000, the agency went to its first cloud-based system following a large fire that destroyed its office building on the corner of 4th and Main. The fire temporarily displaced the agency operations to an alternate location. There was never a doubt for Charlene and Gary that they would rebuild and get right back to business. Four years later, the agency re-opened its doors at the same location and current home.
In January 2004, Anna Sims Whitmire, Gary and Sara’s eldest daughter, joined the family business after a short stint as a local tax accountant with the Yates Petroleum group. Anna fell in love with both the relational and technical challenges of the industry. Anna quickly made a commitment to Sara and Gary that she wanted to make a career of the insurance agency business. One goal she brought along with her was a desire to move into adjacent communities.
In 2010, J. S. Ward & Son, Inc. purchased a partial book of business from Carlsbad Insurance Agency and opened a Carlsbad location. A few months later, they expanded into Roswell with the purchase of the Robert V. Ely Agency. Finally, in 2014, they added another book of business to the Artesia location when they added Ronnie Letcher and his loyal customers. Ronnie Letcher had been a longstanding and well-respected insurance agent, and his addition to J. S. Ward & Son, Inc has proven to be a great asset.
In July of 2018, Abbie, Gary and Sara’s youngest daughter, moved back to Artesia and joined the agency as a part-time bookkeeper along with her husband Tye. Unfortunately, tragedy struck in April of 2019, when on a trip to visit family back home and attend a college reunion, Gary Sims suffered a heart attack and moved on to his eternal home. At that time, the family rallied once again. Fortunately, Gary had been a great leader and had been sharing all of his wisdom with his team so the transition was rather seamless. Gary’s leadership and the culture of caring that he lived out daily continues in the agency today. He was a friend to many, and although the agency continues, his presence and personality are dearly missed.
In April 2019, Anna Sims Whitmire, became the 4th President of J. S. Ward & Son, Inc. Soon after, Abbie became a full-time employee and is the Director of Operations and Human Resources for the agency.
J. S. Ward & Son, Inc. has served its community for just over 100 years. They continue to look for opportunities to gain experience to better serve their customers. As you can see, their values lie in family, community, and strong relationships. This is also evident in several people who have been employed for 20+ years with the organization. The agency still continues to serve many customers who started with J. S. Ward. The faces may have changed through the generations but the care and the respect with which business is conducted has not.
J. S. Ward & Son, Inc. is very thankful for the opportunity to develop a thriving family business that remains truly local and is able to continue to care for the families in their communities for over a century.
Photos by Purpose Marketing
Article written by Anna Sims Whitmire and originally published in Focus on Artesia 2025 Fall edition.
