Country Icon Jeannie Seely's Husband of 14 Years, Eugene Ward, Dies After Cancer Diagnosis: 'My Heart Is Broken'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jeannie Seely and Gene Ward in November 2017.Photo:Rick Diamond/Getty

Rick Diamond/Getty

Country iconJeannie Seely’shusband of 14 years, Eugene Ward, has died after a recent cancer diagnosis.

PEOPLE can confirm Ward died at the age of 92 at the Life Care Center of Old Hickory Village in Nashville.

Born in White Pine, Jefferson County, Tenn., Ward graduated from White Pine High School in 1952 as the student council president, senior class president, Beta Club vice president, debate team member, and basketball team captain.

In 1956, he earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn. and paid his way through college while working at the dairy and as a server in the dining hall. He later attended the University of Tennessee College of Law, where he earned a J.D. Degree in 1959.That year, he entered the private practice of law in Morristown, Tenn. Two years later, he was appointed assistant general counsel to the Tennessee Public Service Commission and serves as general counsel from January 1966 to May 1980. He also held roles as a staff attorney for Nashville Electric Service (NES) in 1980 and, became general counsel for NES in 1986. In 2011, Ward officially retired from his position of Vice-President and General Counsel at NES.

source: people.com