UCO Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity student death

A third student has died in just as many weeks at the University of Central Oklahoma. Kyle Ward died from an accidental overdose on Oct. 17 in Edmond, according to his obituary. 

Ward graduated from Edmond Santa Fe High School in 2018, where he was on the golf team all four years. 

He was a third-year UCO student and a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He was also a two-time participant in cheer and dance competitions. 

From casual acquaintances to close-bonded friends, there has been a kind outpouring about his memory online. 

Rilee Harrison, UCO alumni, remembered Ward in a tweet. 

“Always had a smile on his face & always came up to tell me hello. Great kid. My heart is saddened to hear of his passing,” Harrison tweeted.

James Limbaugh, president of UCOSA and former roommate of Ward, posted on Instagram about their friendship. 

View this post on Instagram

Kyle, I wish this was the last thing I said to you… Thank you. Thank you for the time you blessed me with your presence. Thank you for the laughter, encouragement, and brotherhood. From being your roommate to being your brother, I’m proud to say I’ve had the chance to live life with you. You’ve taught me a lot. God used you when I stumbled upon Kaleo to bring me closer to him. I can sincerely say that you’ve left an amazing mark on my life and I cannot thank you enough. Rest well brother. φφ

A post shared by James Limbaugh (@james_limbaugh) on Oct 18, 2020 at 11:28am PDT

UCO President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar once again addressed the UCO community in an email about the loss of a student. 

“Our hearts are broken by his sudden passing, and our Broncho family has lost another precious part of ourselves. Please hold Kyle’s family and friends in your thoughts right now. Take a moment of silence to send comfort and strength to them as they face a new day without him,” Neuhold-Ravikumar stated. 

The PIKE fraternity organized a Gofundme for the Ward family to offset funeral expenses. The fundraiser has been shared more than 2,000 times and over $17,150 has been raised as donations continue to come. 

“Thank you for the support you have already given our chapter as we grieve the loss of Kyle, and we ask for your help in supporting his family,” the Gofundme stated. 

The family extended special thanks to PIKE in the obituary for setting up a fund to help with funeral expenses. There was also an open memorial for Ward Wednesday night hosted by the fraternity.

View this post on Instagram

#NOW: Members of @centralpike and the #UCO community have gathered at the Pike House to honor the late Kyle Ward. Ward was a strategic communications sophomore who died from an accidental overdose Saturday.

A post shared by UCentral (@ucentralmedia) on Oct 21, 2020 at 4:47pm PDT

UCO Transportation and Parking Services tweeted they will “cease enforcement in parking lots located north of Ayers Street for anyone wanting to attend the vigil event this evening, Oct. 21. Safety violations will still be enforced.”

A come-and-go viewing was held Thursday at Crawford Family Funeral Service in Edmond. A funeral service celebrating Ward’s life will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Crossings Community Church at 14600 N. Portland Ave. in Oklahoma City, with a private family burial following at Memorial Park Cemetery.

This story was updated at 11:30 p.m. 10/22/2020.