Ware

Jr. Reuben Ware of Sandy Springs, GA, died on March 13, 2018, at the age of 81. He was born in Thomaston, GA, on January 17, 1937. He was preceded in death by his mother, Grace Conley Ware, and his father, Reuben Arnold Ware. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Linda, and his four children, Reuben Arnold Ware, III, Jennifer Ware Russell, Heather Pilar Burdett, and Brett Haddon Ware. Before graduating from Savannah High School in 1955, Reuben attended Gordon Military Academy in Barnesville, GA. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he was stationed on the USS Tarawa as a cryptographer. He attended Southern Technical Institute where he received a degree in electrical engineering, and then later designed power substations for Georgia Power and Florida Power & Light. In 1974, Reuben received a diploma from DeVry Institute of Technology in Electronics Operations Technology & Computer Controls. He was then hired by the U.S. Postal Service as a maintenance mechanic at the Bulk Mail Center in Atlanta, GA, and then later as an instructor at The Technical Training Center at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK. As an instructor, he taught students nationwide in advanced electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, and computer systems, and designed and taught many other technical courses related to postal operations. Besides being a technical “wizard”, Reuben was also a professional musician. He traveled nationally with the Tommy Dorsey Band of “Big Band” fame as their pianist. Later, he played piano for the Dean Hudson Band for approximately 20 years, during which time he met his future wife, Linda. In addition to playing with the 18-piece band, he also played with numerous other trios and 7-piece bands. He was the official pianist for Phil Harris and was a member of the Atlanta Federation of Musicians. Before moving to Oklahoma in 1979, he was the musical director for “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Smyrna Community Center. Also, at the University of Oklahoma, he was the musical director for “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope”. After retiring from the U.S. Postal Service in 1992, Reuben and Linda returned to Atlanta and moved to Huntcliff. For four years he served on the Board of the Huntcliff Homes Association and designed and published the Huntcliff Happenings. In addition to being a loving husband, father and grandfather, Reuben enjoyed designing and fixing mechanical, electrical, and other technical problems. No challenge ever seemed too great to him; in fact, it seemed to increase his determination. About ten years ago Reuben studied for and remarkably completed three examinations in one day for amateur radio operation and was authorized by the FCC to operate an Amateur Radio station with the privileges of an Amateur Extra Class. Reuben’s greatest passion was creating musical arrangements and original compositions, but his many other interests and hobbies included computer operations, cooking, fishing, golfing, gardening and maintaining fresh water aquariums. When he was younger he received a black belt in karate. A private celebration of Reuben’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following animal rescue groups in honor of his life-long love of animals: Atlanta Humane Society, Atlanta Beagle Rescue, All Animal Rescue & Friends, The Rescued Rescuers, or Paws Atlanta. Ware, Reuben Arnold

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The (GA) – Sunday, April 1, 2018