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Albert Cauthorn Ward, a third generation Sutton County rancher, died July 13, 2022. He was 85 years old. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Sonora.
He was born October 8, 1936, in San Angelo, Texas, the only child of Rip and Mae Cauthorn Ward.
A product of the Sonora schools, Albert graduated in 1955. Active in many school activities, he was elected President of the Student Council, President of the National Honor Society, and Class President for four consecutive years. He also acted in school drama presentations and was a member of a championship debate team.
Following his graduation from Sonora High School, Albert attended Baylor University, graduating in 1958 with a major in communications/speech and Radio-Television.
In 1956, He married his high school sweetheart, Cynthia Hall. They had three children and were happily married for 65 years.
After graduating from Baylor, the couple moved back to Sonora and have lived in the area ever since.
Albert built and operated the local radio station from 1962 to 1968. After that brief stint in the broadcast industry, he returned to the family ranch. He managed surface ranch lands in Sutton and Edwards counties, as well as the family mineral interests in Sutton, Edwards, Val Verde, Crockett, and Haskell Counties, all in Texas. For several years, he served on the board of directors of the First National Bank of Sonora, and was director and Vice President of Sonora Wool & Mohair Co.
Albert was active in several community organizations and affairs. In 2009, he received a 50-year pen from the Sonora Downtown Lions Club where he had been a member, director, and officer. While his children were active in Sonora’s 4-H Club, Albert served as President of the 4-H Parents organization. The 4-H young people honored him be voting him the Outstanding 4-H Parent of the Year.
He also served three non-consecutive terms as a director of the Sonora Chamber of Commerce and a term as Chairman of the Administrative Board of Sonora’s First United Methodist Church. For several years, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Edwards Plateau Soil and Water Conservation District and served three non-consecutive terms as its chairman. He also served as President of the Hill Country Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Additionally, he served as a member of the board of directors of the Sutton County Appraisal District.
He had been extremely interested and active in the National Association of Royalty Owners and Particularly its Texas Chapter. Albert had been a director of NARO-TX as well as a member of the national group’s Web Site Committee, the National Legislative Council, and the National Advisory Council.
Preceding Albert in death were parents, Rip and Mae Cauthorn Ward, and son-in-law, Rapheal Holder.
His grandparents on his father’s side were John A. Ward, Sr. and Virginia Putnam Ward. His mother’s parents were James Albert “Jim” Cauthorn and Ada Earwood Cauthorn. Both sets of grandparents were pioneer ranching families in the Sutton County area.
Survivors include Albert’s wife, Cynthia, and their children, Cathy Ward Feinberg and husband David Feinberg, Kelly Ward Holder, and Gus Albert Ward all of Sonora. Grandchildren are Sarah Ball Sebeck and husband Lt. Col. Danny Sebeck of Colorado Springs, CO, Daniel Ward and wife Jennifer of Corinth, Mississippi, Kasey Miller of Austin, TX, Rachel Holder and Brad Parrish of Boerne, Tx, Jarred Holder and wife Laura of Dripping Springs, TX, and Tanner Holder and Lilly Huynh of Irving, TX. Great-grandchildren Lucas and Ada Mae Sebeck, Lucy Holder, Olivia and Amelia Holder, Raylan and Shane Ward.
Albert is also survived by two special family friends, Anna Samaniego and Eddy Smith.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First Methodist Church of Sonora or to any charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at lovefuneralhome.net
