Wayne Clifford Forward

Wayne Clifford Forward went to be with Jesus, his Savior, on August 9, 2026, at the age of 98. He was born on February 22, 1928, in Goddard, Kansas, the next-to-youngest of five sisters and one brother. Five of the siblings lived most of their lives in the Hugoton, KS area.

Wayne graduated from Hugoton High School and joined the United States Navy. He proudly served his country in Guam from 1946 to 1948. After his military service, Wayne returned home to the family farm between Hugoton and Moscow, Kansas, and met Mary Ann Reames.

Wayne and Mary Ann were married on her birthday, July 19, 1951, shortly after she graduated from Hugoton High School. Together, they built a life on the farm. They were part of the beginning families that started and built Faith Lutheran Church. Wayne served as a church elder for many years, and his faith in Jesus was very important to him and the foundation upon which he built his life and led his family. He has left us quite a legacy as a great friend, brother, uncle, dad, papa, and loving husband of 75 years.

Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Glenn Lee Forward; mother, Anna Helena Helfrich; his infant son, Glenn Clifford Forward; and his siblings, Maxine Phillips, Dula Hughes, Jean Coulter, and Joann Sessler.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his two older siblings, Mildred Moser and Charles Forward; and his three children: Beth Elliott and husband Fred of Clermont, Florida, Mark Forward and wife Angela of Allison, Texas, and Pamela Hickey and husband Larry of Hugoton, Kansas.

He is also survived by eleven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren, including Dawn McFarland (3) of Apopka, Florida; Angel (Ryan) Haumschild (3) of Atlanta, Georgia; Jonathan Elliott of Clermont, Florida; Mary Beth (Jaren) Sustar (4) of Belton, South Carolina; David Elliott of Clermont, Florida; Sheila (TR) Repka (2) of Canon City, Colorado; Jade Forward of Pampa, Texas; Jace (Abby) Forward of Amarillo, Texas; Jacob Forward of Allison, Texas; Susan Hickey of Clifton, Texas; and Shay Miramontes (3) of Hugoton, Kansas.

Wayne lived a long and faithful life, and his family is grateful to God for the foundation of faith he established for his family and for the example he set through the way he lived and loved.

In honor of Wayne's commitment to sharing the Gospel, memorials may be made to Great Plains Christian Radio (KJIL), in care of Robson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 236, Hugoton, Kansas 67951. The family would like people to leave a memory of Wayne at the bottom of his obituary page for them to share later as a family. 

A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Fellowship with the family will be held Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Pheasant Heaven Charities Inc. Veterans' Hall from 1 PM until 2 PM.  

Robson Funeral Home of Hugoton is overseeing the arrangements.