Donald Ray “Woody" Woodward passed away in the early morning of Jan. 3, 2022 at Regional Medical Hospital, Yuma Arizona with his son Al by his side.
Woody was born to Myrl and Francis Woodward on April 30, 1933 in Parson, Kansas.
Woody was the oldest of six children. Woody served four years in the United States Navy, a service that included the Korean War.
Woody married Martha Vicars in Waco, Texas in December 1957. They had three children, Al, Patty and Bill. Woody worked for Connally Funeral Home until they moved to West Covina, California in 1965, where Woody worked at Sparling Instrument until 1970. Later Donald and Martha divorced, and he moved with his three children to Port Townsend in 1970 to be closer to his family.
Woody worked for Pope Resources from 1971 to 1980, before going to work at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office where he worked for 15 years, retiring in 1996. After retiring he and his partner Mary Kay Carter started snowbirding to Yuma, Arizona, before finally moving there permanently. You would know when Woody was around by his distinctive laugh!
Woody enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, as well as fishing, hunting, beach combing, golf, gold panning, traveling, collecting coins, and working on genealogy.
Woody will truly be missed by his family and the many friends he had. He leaves behind his three children, Al Woodward of Yuma Arizona, Patty Minish (Jeff) of Port Hadlock, Bill Woodward (Jeannie) of Coyle; four grandchildren, Jason Minish, Jesse Minish, Danielle Johnston, and Jeremy Woodward; four great-grandchildren, Jayden Minish, Sienna Minish, Emma Johnston, Mavis Woodward; brother, Loren (Gene) Woodward, and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Myrl and Francis Woodward; brothers, Jackie Woodward, Myrl Woodward; and his sisters, Marilyn Thompson, and Carolyn Lopeman
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St. Please bring your stories to share.
