Rodney Cyrus Ward

Rodney Cyrus Ward, 83, passed away May 18, 2024, at the home of his daughter in Clinton, Utah surrounded by loved ones.  He was born on December 2, 1940, in Preston, Idaho. He was the firstborn child of Grant Wade Ward and Melba Bronson Ward. The family grew to a total of six brothers and one sister, Stanley (Peggy), George (Paula), Karla (Tim Hamby), Mark, Michael (Linda), Jerry (Kim). When Rod turned five the family moved to Ogden, Utah. His schooling began in kindergarten in the Weber County School District. He graduated from Weber High School in 1959.  After graduating he enrolled at Weber State College, which was a two-year school. He studied electronics. 

On January 7, 1961, he married Carla Koning. They had six children; Kent Ward, Jeff Ward (Joy), Kris Ward, Shelley (Quinten Miller), Deon Nelson, Andrea (Edward Jeppson).  Rod and Carla later divorced.

He is survived by 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandhildren. He was predeceased by his parents and his son Kris. 

While his family was growing, he worked at Hercules. He returned to college and earned an accounting degree. He worked at Hill Air Force Base. He would visit IBM missile silos and do maintenance work on them in Montana, North and South Dakota. After receiving his degree, he worked for the CIA (the cover name for the Army). He traveled to many places and his family was not allowed to know where he was. He moved his family to Arlington, VA. The CIA then transferred him to California. After living in California for several years they moved back to Ogden, Utah to be closer to family. Back in Utah he worked for DCAA until his retirement.

He also loved Idaho and decided to move to Franklin County. He purchased some ground in the small town of Riverdale and built a home. He enjoyed working on both the home and the yard. 

Rodney lived alone in Riverdale until 2003 when his friends introduced him to Leanne Talbot. They felt a strong attraction to each other and married September 20, 2003. They were later sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on August 19, 2006. With this union he gained four stepsons and three step-daughters who he loved dearly; Darrell (Diane) Chesley, Lon (Deb) Chesley, Jeff (Christy) Chesley, Kurt (MaryAnn) Chesley, Lisa (Deneen) Wuthrich, Lori (Bryce) Olson, RosaLee Talbot. He built a home with Leanne in Riverdale where they lived very happily until he was diagnosed with dementia.

Before he became ill, he spent his time beautifying his home and yard. He planted a large vegetable garden each summer that he generously shared with others. One friend nicknamed him “The Vegetable Fairy.”

Rod was a devoted, faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The last years before his illness he served as financial clerk under three different Bishops. He and his wife attended the temple several times a week. 

We would like to give special thanks to Symbii Hospice and Homecare and to Jamie Wilson for her compassionate and loving care of Rod and to Jenn Hansen who was there for him when Jamie couldn’t be. 

We want to thank family, friends and ward families for their love and support over these last months as Rod was drawn farther and farther away from us. We will miss him, but we know that we will see him again. 

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Riverdale 2^nd Ward Chapel, 3562 N. 1600 E. Preston, Idaho. Viewings will be held Wednesday from 6-8 pm and again prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 am at the church. Interment will be in the Riverdale Idaho Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com