Allen Ward Alford

Sandra and Rogene Alford welcomed Allen Ward Alford into this world Saturday, September 24, 1960. He passed away Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at the age of 63 years, 11 months, and 4 days after fighting a lung disease. Allen Ward Alford lived in Nara Visa, New Mexico where he managed his family’s ranch. Ward is what he went by, a name honoring his mother’s maiden name (Sandra Ward Alford) 

Ward was the third child and only son. He went to Corona Public School, then on to Clarendon Community College where he graduated with a degree in Ranch Land Management. Despite Ward’s slow talkin’, he decided to continue his education and learn how to be an auctioneer. 

Ward cut and hauled firewood, worked in the oil field, on the ranch, and as an auctioneer, but his favorite “job” was trading. Ward loved to trade horses, vehicles, and trailers. He might start a road trip in a blue Dodge but drive back home in a white Chevy with an “Ol’ Hale” trailer hooked on and two new colts in the back. 

If you were traveling with Ward you knew to take entertainment to pass time. He was a talker and didn’t go anywhere without seeing someone he knew. Hours were spent at gas stations, restaurants, and on front porches as Ward talked and laughed with old and new friends. 

Ward met many of these friends at auctions as he filled in for auctioneers or worked with auction companies. It was Ward’s dream to manage his own sale barn and he loved to auction off livestock and ranch and farm equipment. 

Ward loved to team rope, ride colts, check cows, eat a Braums banana split, and drive around eating his fig newtons checking things out. Ward was very vocal on one thing he did not like doing- hauling water! In the New Mexico heat he was always hauling water to the Corrientes and horses. This was a job he was happy to trade off to anyone who would take it. 

Ward was quite a storyteller, on the phone for hours on end, showering his friends and family with tales of his adventures and sharing laughs and tears. And yet, his enthusiasm often got the better of him, leaving his pickup stuck on the ranch for hours, forgotten in the midst of an engaging conversation. Rojo would arrive just in time to rescue him, laughing as she helped him get his truck unstuck and giving a thumbs up with his half missing thumb. Despite the occasional inconvenience, Ward’s love of storytelling was contagious, and everyone will cherish the memories of those lighthearted rescue missions and stories. Knowing that his wit and charm were always worth the extra effort. Ward taught his kids, Jaci, and Clint, how to rope, ride horses, drive a pickup, count cattle, and yell YUP as he auctioned off things down the highway. He also shared these skills with one little red headed girl who entered his life at the age of 4, giving him tremendous joy, Chelsea “Rojo” Red. In the past few years he enjoyed getting to know his grandchildren; Rico, Havana, Callie, Tatum, and Renlee. He was known as “Cowboy Grandpa” and “Abuelo”, and beamed when he heard the kids use his name. 

Ward will be missed by many, including his children, Jaci (Travis) Hickey, Clint (Katelyn) Alford, parents, Rogene and Sandra Alford. Sisters, Joan (Mike) Tracey, Tawnya (David) Craig, and Roe Anne (Travis) Lightfoot, Special Companion Cindy Stamps, Nieces, Nephews, Grandchildren, and Hosts of Family and Friends