Camden James Ward

Camden James Ward, 10, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2012, in a car accident near Johnson City, Kansas. He was born May 30, 2002, in Kearney, Nebraska to Thomas and Malena (Rhoades) Ward. Camden just completed 4th grade in the Dual Language Program at Bryan Elementary School in Lexington. He was full of life and had a special way of making the ordinary things in life "fun." He loved music, singing, dancing and learning to play the recorder. He also was an avid reader and enjoyed drawing. He discovered a new talent in acting when he was cast as the King in the Missoula Children's Theater production of Cinderella. He especially loved practicing and performing alongside his sister Ana-Alesia who was Cinderella. Camden's dream was to become an astronaut and he was so excited to hear astronaut Clayton Anderson speak of his time in space to the students in Lexington. Another of Camden’s dreams was to become an airplane pilot. It just so happened that this past year he was fortunate enough to take a plane ride and even took the controls for a time during this adventure. Camden was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he was active in the Church Primary. He also played soccer, basketball, football, baseball and was on the swim team. He was a Webelos scout of Cub Scout Pack #143. Camden gave and received much love during his life. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Survivors include his parents of Lexington, NE; brothers, Gregory, Kevin and Benjamin of Lexington; sisters, Danica of Liberal, KS; and Sarah and Ana-Alesia of Lexington; grandparents, Jene and Melva Ward of Pavillion, WY and Duane and Patricia Rhoades of Laramie, WY; great-grandmother, Deon Rhoades of Orem, UT; Aunts, Trisha and Randy Potter of Leonberg, Germany; Rachel and Ryan Earnest of Dayton, OH; Karen and Nathan Panike of Fitchburg, WI; Angela Rhoades of Salt Lake City, UT; Wendy and Tyler Paris of Greeley, CO; Uncles, Joshua and Laura Rhoades of Idaho Falls, ID; Jonathan Rhoades of Laramie, WY; Steven Rhoades of North Platte, NE; Randy and Katie Ward of Broadus, MT; Nieces, Emmalee and Aubree of Liberal, KS. Camden is also survived by numerous cousins, extended family members and many friends. Camden was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Joseph Arvel Rhoades, James Marshall Nichols and Pauline Faye Kirtley. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, July 10, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Parkview Baptist Church in Lexington with Bishop Steve Horton of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. Visiting hours for Camden will be Monday, July 9, 2012, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the Dawson County Children’s Museum. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please forward online condolences to the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.