Gordon Lee Woodard

Gordon Lee Woodard passed away at home November 18, 2019. He was born on June 11, 1932 in Grand Rapids, Mich., son of Roy and Louise Woodard. He was a damage controlman, 3rd Class P.O. in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1955, serving on the USS Everglades (AD-24) destroyer tender, deployed during the Korean War. After the Navy he married the love of his life, Ruth Gentleman, at St. Thomas the Apostle in Grand Rapids, and they shared 63 years of marriage and raised four children.
‘Gordy’ attended Western Michigan University and was employed in his mid-twenties at Nabisco. He found his true calling as an outside salesman working for Simpson Building Supply and later at Burton Aluminum. He then became a project estimator for Etna Supply Company. He was a member of the Golden Kiwanis of GR, Knights of Columbus and St. Robert’s of Newminster Parish, volunteering in soup kitchens and ushering for several years. He was also a member of American Legion Post 2 in GR.
Together with Ruth, he enjoyed traveling and experiencing several trips and cruises around the United States, Nova Scotia, Caribbean Islands, Mexico and abroad to Ireland. He was a gifted and talented craftsman, handyman and repairman. There wasn’t much that he couldn’t make, fix or improve. He was a meticulous painter both for hire and in his personal projects. He had numerous hobbies including carpentry, cooking, jewelry making and woodworking. He loved nature, boating, fishing, hunting and most of all his family. He delighted in the laughter, togetherness and good times shared at large family gatherings.
Gordy was preceded in death by his beloved wife this past August, his parents, his sister Maisie and brother-in-law Jim McGerry, niece Debbie McGerry, sister-in-law Susan Gagliardi and daughter-in-law Diane Woodard.
He is survived by his four children; Brian (Lonnie) Woodard, Marie (Dan) Woodard-DeHoek, Michael Woodard, David (Linda) Woodard, grandchildren; Lauren (Brian) Guttersen, Brent, Tyler, Nick, Cameron, Leigha, Nichole, Olivia Woodard, Brittany (Brent) Massingill, great grandchild Griffin Guttersen, brothers-in-law; Vincent Gagliardi, John (Pat) Gentleman, sisters-in-law; Margaret (Larry) Dugan, Mary (Ken) Bush; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Robert of Newminster, Emmanuel Hospice of GR or Homewatch CareGivers of GR. The family would like to thank Emmanuel Hospice and Homewatch CareGivers for their loving care and tremendous support.