Dennis Alan Ward

Dennis Alan Ward, 57, of Carbondale, Kansas passed away after a short cancer battle, Saturday, November 5, 2106, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife, Dorinda (Mitchell) Ward and sons Mitchell (Amanda), Shane (Ashley), Jake (Samantha) and three grandsons, Luke, Logan and Avery. Parents Alan and Sandra (McKee) Ward, sister, Julie Ward. Father-in-law, Lloyd Mitchell (Nancy), sisters-in-law Rhonda (Rick), Brenda (David), Melinda (Mike) and Glenda along with many family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Amy (Ward) Abernathy, mother-in-law, Jackie Mitchell and his grandparents.

Dennis attended Topeka Public Schools and later earned his GED. he was a member of UA Local 441 Plumbers & Pipefitters Labor Union and worked at his trade for 30 years. At the time of death he was employed by Custom Sheet Metal, Dennis acquired his mechanical ability from his grandfather, Albert McKee.

He was a Civil War re-enactor and made his own uniform. He spoke at schools about the war and displayed his Civil War black powder rifle for the students. He studied Aikido, Karate and Judo and was an honorary black belt in Aikido. He loved the outdoors. He would pitch a tent in the woods or by a lake and cook over an open fire and played his guitar. He enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with his father, Alan, in several states and Canada. Dennis was very good at training his bird dogs.

He dearly loved his grandsons and enjoyed rubbing the top of their heads to show how much he cared. He and Dorinda enjoyed heading out in her Subaru and exploring the remote back roads. Dennis had lots of plans for the future but his life was over too fast.

A casual Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, November 17th, 2016, 4-7 pm at Mount Hope Cemetery and Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th St., Topeka. Private graveside service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, 1315 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604.