Alvah Haff Ward, Jr., age 96, of Manteo, N.C., died on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at The Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head, NC. He was born in his grandparents’ home in Wanchese, NC, on October 25, 1929; the same period of the stock market crash that started the Great Depression, and the same day his father drove pilings in the marsh at Wanchese Wharf to build the first permanent ice manufacturing plant in the area.
He was the son of Tracy Cahoon and Alvah Haff Ward and grew up in Wanchese and Manteo. As a youngster, World War II had a profound effect on Alvah; building model German and Japanese airplanes, walking the beach and sounds in search of war relics, serving as an aircraft warning observer with the Manteo Boy Scout troop, where he earned the Eagle rank and served as Scoutmaster.
After attending two years at Manteo High School, he transferred and graduated from Riverside Military Academy. After graduation from The Citadel in 1951, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Regular Army. During the Korean War, Alvah was assigned to the development of the “Claymore” anti-personnel mine. After the untimely death of his father, he resigned his commission and returned home to manage family businesses, which included Dare County Ice & Storage Company. At the urging of Dare County’s leadership, Alvah continued his father’s efforts to deepen Oregon Inlet and allied channels, connecting all of Dare County. This led to a united effort to stabilize the inlet and build a state-of-the-art seafood handling and processing center at Wanchese Harbor. This led to the development of Wanchese Harbor as a center of world-class boat building.
After the sale of the family business, Alvah joined the North Carolina Department of Commerce as a seafood industry consultant. He was later selected Director of the Industrial Development Division, a position he held for fifteen years, while leading the nation in new plant locations for eight of those years. He then led the state’s marketing effort of the new NC Global Transpark at Kinston, before retiring after thirty years of service with the State of North Carolina.
Alvah was awarded the Governor’s Award for Excellence and the Order of the Long leaf Pine by both Governor Hunt and Governor Martin.
Alvah returned to Manteo and following retirement was Director of the Dare County Tourist Bureau for two years and finally decided to just enjoy being back home and the freedom of retirement with family and friends.
Alvah is a 32nd degree Shriner, Past Master of Manteo Lodge 521, and was the last Master of Wanchese Lodge No. 521. He attends Manteo Mount Olivet United Methodist Church and has especially enjoyed the inspirational lessons with the men in his Sunday School Class.
Alvah was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Millicent Ward Brown; and his first wife, Rachel Teague Ward; his second wife, Geneva Perry Ward; and his stepdaughter, Cathy Elwang.
Alvah is survived by his sister, Lelia W. Byrum of Suffolk, VA; and his stepsons, Mike Harrell (DeDe) and Darrell Stafford (Amelia). Alvah also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Monday, September 21, 2026, at Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks Chapel. A funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church with Pastor Marc O’Neil officiating the service. Immediately following the service, a graveside committal with Masonic Rites and Military Honors will take place at Manteo Cemetery.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks, 500 Budleigh Street, Manteo, NC, is honored to serve the Ward family.