Key Takeaways

• Lydia Sermons served as the family spokesperson following Derrick Ward’s passing and previously worked as press secretary for DC Mayor Anthony Williams.
• Derrick Ward’s three children – Derrick Jr., Ian, and Marisa – lived in Georgia, and he frequently traveled there to maintain an active presence in their lives.
• Following Derrick’s death from cardiac complications on January 7, 2025, Sermons released a statement on behalf of the Ward, Rampersad, and Sermons families, highlighting his impact as a journalist and family man.

Derrick Ward, the beloved NBC4 Washington reporter who passed away on January 7, 2025, following complications from a recent cardiac arrest, was a married man.

His ex-wife served as a press secretary for former DC Mayor Anthony Williams during her career in public service.

The couple shared three children together – Derrick Jr., Ian, and Marisa.

Although they later divorced, Derrick remained dedicated to his family.

He frequently traveled to Georgia to spend time with his children, who lived there with his ex-wife after the separation.

Following Derrick’s untimely death at age 62, one of his family friends, Lydia Sermons, released a heartfelt statement on behalf of the Ward, Rampersad, and Sermons families.

She spoke warmly of his impact as both a journalist and family man.

“As a distinguished journalist, Derrick’s storytelling, prolific writing, warmth, and humor touched countless lives. Our children and our entire family will miss him dearly,” she wrote.

The news of Derrick’s passing sparked an outpouring of emotional tributes from his colleagues.

Mark Segraves, his NBC Washington colleague, remembered him as “a brilliant writer and journalist who loved reporting on his hometown.”

Tracee Wilkins, an investigative reporter, praised him as “a dedicated dad, a wonderful colleague, a stellar journalist, and a gifted guitar player.“

His longtime friend and colleague Sam Ford shared a touching memory of their running joke about people mixing them up.

“People would call him Sam. People would call me Derrick,” Ford recalled, adding that Derrick was “a good looking guy,” and he felt flattered by the comparison.

Ford also mentioned Derrick’s frequent trips to Georgia to visit his children, highlighting his commitment as a father despite the geographical distance.

Lydia continues to advocate for the family’s privacy during this difficult time while expressing gratitude for the community’s support.

She took the lead in communicating with the public about memorial service arrangements, demonstrating her ongoing connection to the Ward family.

His last news coverage was posted on December 27, shortly before his cardiac arrest.

The distinguished journalist, who covered major stories from the Iran-Contra hearings to the September 11 attack on the Pentagon, leaves behind a remarkable professional legacy alongside his role as a devoted father.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• He was a DC native who grew up in Marshall Heights and the H Street Corridor in Northeast and personally lived through the 1968 riots, later documenting these experiences for NBC4’s 40th-anniversary coverage.

• Before his television career, Ward worked extensively in radio at multiple stations, including WPFM, WAMU, and WTOP. His first TV job was in Buffalo before returning to DC in 2006 to join NBC4.

• Outside of journalism, Ward was a passionate musician who played the guitar and even performed with Big Boy Little Band in September 2013. His last stories before his passing covered diverse topics, including a burning building in DC, a mother honoring her addiction-lost son, and the US Senate.