Thomas Kendall "Ken" Harward Obituary (1947

Thomas Kendall “Ken” Harward was born in Salina, Utah on September 24, 1947, to parents Royal and Donna Harward. Ken and his five siblings - Carol, Carvel, Ronnie, Newell, and Layne - were raised in Loa, Utah where they worked on the family farm, dairy and at Royal’s store. He spent his childhood exploring the deserts and mountains of central Utah with siblings and friends, chariot raced pure white horses and proudly represented Wayne County High School Badgers as state wrestling champions. Ken married Anita Taylor in 1964 and welcomed children Melanie Harward Loomis and Thomas Harward. Ken later married Margo Carlson in 1974, blending the family with children Tonya McDougald Martineau, Rachel Harward Spencer and Nathan Harward. Ken graduated with a master’s degree in public administration from University of Utah while supporting his family and paying for school by working as a baker and decorating beautiful cakes. His professional career began in Nampa, Idaho where he served as City Finance Director for 23 years. He later served as Director of the Association of Idaho Cities for 18 years. Ken loved public service and fulfilled his passion for helping others by bringing people together. He is recognized for his contributions to the City of Nampa and the State of Idaho through projects including Nampa City Hall, Civic Center, Recreation and Senior Center (renamed the Harward Recreation Center in 2021), the Idaho Center, and Centennial and Ridgecrest golf courses. Throughout his life, Ken enjoyed reciting poetry, hosting neighborhood barbeques, hiking, Bikram yoga, marathons and triathlons, studying and preserving family and church history, baking wheat bread and gingerbread houses, and harvesting vegetables from his garden. Most of all, he treasured being Grandpa to 16 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ken’s testimony and relationship with Jesus Christ were a compass in his life. He faithfully served in numerous church callings, including Bishop, member of the Nampa Stake Presidency and counselor to three Boise, Idaho Mission Presidents. Ken passed away on July 17, 2026, in Santa Clara, Utah with Margo by his side. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Loa Ward, 49 W 300 S Loa, Utah. The viewing will begin at 10:00am followed by a funeral service at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to either Humanitarian Services Fund or Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.