Rodney Kent Ward

Rodney (Rod) Kent Ward was born November 1, 1941, in Camp Hill, PA, and passed on February 19, 2026, at his home in Derby, KS.

Rod graduated from Cumberland Valley High in 1959, where he excelled in athletics and was a championship wrestler, qualifying for a medal at the state level. In 2007, he was inducted into the Cumberland Valley High School Wrestling Hall of Fame. Rod loved his classmates and had stayed in constant contact with many of them. He actively attended many reunions for the Class of 1959. After high school, he attended Loch Haven University and then later joined the Army and served his country from 1962 to 1965. His Army service took him to Korea, where he mastered valuable skills as a communications operator.

After his release from the Army, Rod married his beloved Carol on October 29, 1965. They began their married life in Florida, where Rod began his career with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). While on assignment overseas, Rod and Carol welcomed their first child, Bryan Kent Ward, on May 7, 1967, in Lubumbashi, Shaba Province, Zaire, Africa. They welcomed their second child, Beth Ann Mullins (Ward), on November 7, 1970, in Harrisburg, PA. Rod's service in the CIA took him all over the world, across four continents: Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East.

After a long and distinguished career with the CIA, Rod retired to the Harrisburg, PA, area to reconnect with his family and friends. While retired, Rod earned his commercial driver's license (CDL) and drove tour buses. Carol often joined him on these trips, and they loved to share anecdotes of their travels.

Rod and Carol eventually moved to Pinehurst, NC, where they lived out their retirement until moving to Kansas to be closer to their son, Bryan, and grandchildren, Morgan and Sydney. While in Pinehurst, Rod and Carol lived a full and active life, playing golf, entertaining friends and family, and taking an active role in their church. Rod also enjoyed running marathons, including six Marine Corps Marathons and the Chicago Marathon. He was known in Pinehurst for his training runs around town and was dubbed the "Marathon Man" in the local paper. Rod was also very active in the Republican Men's Club of Moore County.

Rod also enjoyed bluegrass music, playing guitar, volunteering in the community, traveling to see friends and family-as well as traveling to exotic places all over the world, including Greece, Australia, New Zealand, and more. He often sang for children in the community and was praised for his beautiful singing voice. Rod was known for his fierce intelligence, keen political insights, patriotism, and unwavering devotion to his faith, family, and freedom.

Rod is survived by his daughter, Beth Mullins (Ward), and his grandchildren, Morgan and Sydney Ward.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol, and his son, Bryan.

Service details are as follows: The memorial service will take place Friday, March 13th, at 12:00 p.m. at Kreamer Funeral Home, 618 E. Main St., Annville, PA 17003. A graveside service will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, 60 Indiantown Gap Rd., Annville, PA 17003. Details for the livestreamed memorial service to follow.