Family of Army captain killed in Kuwait honors legacy with ROTC scholarship at Florida Southern College
LAKELAND, Fla. - A Winter Haven family is turning unimaginable loss into a legacy of service.
The family of Army Captain Cody Khork gathered at Florida Southern College in Lakeland to announce a new scholarship in his honor, supporting future ROTC cadets at the same school where he began his military journey.
The backstory:
Khork was killed in action during an Iranian drone attack on a U.S. base in Kuwait shortly after the U.S. and Israel initiated airstrikes on Iran.
"As a father, there is no greater heartbreak than losing a son," said James Khork. "With that said, there’s also deep pride knowing who Cody was."
What they're saying:
His family said even from a young age, Khork felt called to serve. His father, a Marine veteran, said Khork’s love for his country ran deep long before he put on the uniform.
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But, his parents said what made Khork special wasn’t just his dedication to service — it was his character.
"Cody loved this country with his whole heart," said his stepmother, Stacey Khork. "He believed in service, duty and honor of wearing the uniform of the United States Army."
She said he was also the kind of person who made everyone feel welcome.
"Our son was someone who would see someone in the back of the room at the party and make sure they were the ones having a good time," she said.
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Big picture view:
Khork attended Florida Southern College, where he was part of the school’s ROTC program before becoming a commissioned Army officer. Now, the college is creating an endowed scholarship in his name, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire future cadets.
Each year, the scholarship will help cover tuition, room and board for an outstanding junior or senior ROTC cadet.
"As solid a student and cadet as he was, he was also someone who genuinely enjoyed his college experience, made really deep friendships here. The criteria will actually be that our military officer selects the most outstanding and worthy cadet without necessarily putting in an abundance of stipulations. It will be that it's an outstanding cadet that's worthy of the legacy they’ll bear," said Florida Southern College President Dr. Jeremy Martin.
The endowment means it will carry on forever, and Khork’s family hopes the students who receive it will carry forward the same values he lived by.
"We hope it inspires them to say, ‘I’m carrying the legacy of a true American hero,’" his stepmother said.
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By the numbers:
Florida Southern leaders said the response from the community has been overwhelming. Within just 72 hours of quietly announcing the scholarship fund, more than 120 donors had already stepped forward to contribute.
Dig deeper:
Khork’s parents also shared that he had met the love of his life while the two were stationed in Poland — and had already spoken with her parents with plans to propose when they returned home.
The family said the scholarship will ensure Khork’s story, and his commitment to service, continue to inspire the next generation of leaders.
What you can do:
Anyone interested in contributing to the scholarship fund can find more information on the Florida Southern College website.
The Source: Sources for this report include an interview with the Khork family, Florida Southern College's president, friends and past reporting.