‘We lost the best human being I’ve ever known’: Friends mourn Army Reserve Capt Cody Khork’s death

WASHINGTON, DC: An American soldier has been remembered by his friends and colleagues after he lost his life in Kuwait during an Iranian strike that hit a makeshift operations center. Captain Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, was among six who died on Sunday, March 1.

Other fallen service members, assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, an Army Reserve unit based in Des Moines, Iowa, were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M Marzan, 54; Maj Jeffrey R O'Brien, 45; Sgt Noah Tietjens, 42; Sgt Nicole Amor, 39; and Sgt Declan Coady, 20.

Friends remember Captain Cody Khork as support system

After Khork’s death, one of his friends, Joel Frazer, posted on Facebook, “Definitely hard to hear that a great friend lost his life defending our country. Cody Khork, thank you for always being such an amazing friend, little brother, and support system for everyone that's had the pleasure of meeting you.”

“I'm still not taking a damn fireball, but I will definitely pour one up in your name. I love you brother,” he added.

Friend credits Cody Khork for shaping his life

Another friend, Abbas Jaffer, shared, "Yesterday, we lost the best human being that I've ever known. My best friend, best man, and brother gave his life defending our country overseas."

“He has shaped me into the person I am today. I've watched him support others and myself through the years when he had nothing to his name and never complained about it... That's just the type of person he was,” Jaffer added.

Trau Miller, who joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) a few years after Khork, remembered him as someone who was always “willing to help younger cadets.”

In a now seemingly deleted Facebook post, he wrote, “Being part of ROTC and preparing for service creates a bond that’s hard to put into words. Losing someone who committed his life to serving our country brings back memories of others I’ve lost, but this one feels more personal. My heart is with everyone at Florida Southern and within the military community who is grieving. Cody will be deeply missed, remembered, and honored.”

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd praises Cody Khork

Morgan Evins, who served with Khork in the Army Reserve, also paid tribute to him.

Calling the late soldier “such a down-to-earth person,” she reportedly stated that he “always knew how to lighten the mood and just befriend everybody. Everyone was just magnetized toward this guy because he was such a good person.”

Fellow service member Winfred Lee Ross II and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd also expressed their grief.

Judd added, “We will always appreciate his service, his infectious smile. We are so brokenhearted that he lost his life, but he was protecting America when he did it. God bless you always, Cody.”

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), one of the largest North American social fraternities, honored Khork since he was a member of the group.

It said, “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we share that our Brother Cody Khork has passed away. Cody was a fantastic friend to all and an even better brother. He died serving our county as a true American Hero. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”

Winter Haven remembers Cody Khork as easygoing

Senator Rick Scott offered his condolences to Khork’s family in an X post, mentioning, “Our hearts break from the loss of Capt Cody Khork from Lakeland, Florida. Ann and I offer our deepest condolences to his family, and extend the endless gratitude of our state and nation for which he made the ultimate sacrifice to protect. We pray that God wrap his family in his loving embrace and mercy.”

The city of Winter Haven praised Khork and his accomplishments in a Facebook post.

“Friends remember Cody as someone who was easygoing, always smiling, and the kind of person who looked out for the people around him, the type of friend who made it feel like no time had passed when you ran into him around town,” the social media post stated. 

It further added, “Winter Haven will remember Captain Khork with gratitude and honor. Please keep his family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.”