Gerald B. Alward

Gerald Brainard Alward, 86, was welcomed into the loving arms of his Lord on Nov. 27, 2021. He was born Nov. 14, 1935, the son of Walter & Harriet (Rowley) Alward in Washington Twp. One of his points of pride was that he never lived more than three miles from the house he was born in. Gerald graduated from Romeo High School in 1954. He was self-employed from graduation until 1974. During this time he farmed, drove school bus, hauled cattle to the stockyards and owned an excavating business. Gerald married his high school sweetheart, Myrtle Ann Bowerman on Sept. 22, 1956. A short time later he joined the Washington Twp. Fire Department. He served as Lieutenant, Captain, and in 1966 he was promoted to Assistant Chief, replacing his brother William Alward. In 1972 he was promoted to Chief and became the full time Chief in 1974. He served 50 years on the department. Gerald was a member of the Macomb County Fire Chiefs Association serving in all offices on the board, as well as Chairman of the Training Committee and Southeastern Michigan Chiefs Association, and the Michigan Fire Chiefs Association where he served in all position on the Executive Board. In support of the fire service, Gerald has served on the Macomb Medical Advisory Board. He was instrumental in establishing the fire program at Macomb Community College and served on the Macomb Community College Fire Science Advisory Board, the Emergency Medical Board at Macomb Community College and the Macomb Community College Fire Training Institute Advisory Council, serving four years as the chairman. In 1994 he was appointed by Governor Engler to serve on the Michigan Fire Fighter Training Council, where he served eight years. In 2000, Gerald established the “Chief Gerald B. Alward Scholarship for the Fire Academy” at Macomb Community College. In 1968, Gerald received the Macomb County Fire Fighters Association’s “Fire Fighter of the Year” award. The Michigan Fire Chiefs Association awarded him the “Fire Chief of the Year” Award in 2000. He has also received two “Certificates of Appreciation for Outstanding Support of Fire Training and Education in Macomb County”. Gerald is survived by his daughter Brenda Alward, son Jerry (Debbie) Alward, daughter Melinda (Robert) Budzyn and daughter Luanne (Jeff) Korte. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Morgan (Justin Brunell) Alward, Matthew Alward, Emily (Chris) Ware, Erin Budzyn, Jacob Korte, Hannah Korte and one great grandson, Allen Ware. He was preceded by his wife, Myrtle Ann, his parents, six sisters and two brothers. Visitation will take place on Thursday from 3-8 and on Friday from 2-8 with a Pass in Review from Fire Departments at 6 PM at the Henry M. Malburg Funeral Home, (11280 32 Mile Road, Romeo Michigan 48065). Services will take place on Saturday at 11 AM at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (8600 27 Mile Road, Washington Michigan 48094) with Pastor Jeffrey Draeger officiating. Burial will follow in Mt Vernon Cemetery in Washington Twp. In lieu of flowers, donations to the “Chief Gerald B. Alward Scholarship for the Fire Academy” at Macomb Community College would be appreciated. You may contribute online at www.macomb.edu/give.