My take is that he created T.A.H.I.T.I. BEFORE he died - and that Fury used it to bring him back, and did the memory wipe based on his recommendation. Which is why he wanted May to watch him. And now he has to worry about Skye.
Yes, I really was enjoying Ward as evil guy, but the whole 'but I'll never hurt YOU, Skye!' thing, meh. Seriously. I hope this is just a distraction, because if they don't keep him evil, after Skye called him a Nazi, I'll be really disappointed.
And, co-sign. Add Mama May and I'll devote part of my tiny paycheck to financing that show. KICKSTARTER TIME! ;)