Gordon Woodard

06/11/1932

11/18/2019

Gordon Lee Woodard passed away at home November 18, 2019. He was born on June 11th, 1932 in Grand Rapids, MI, 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 U.S.S. 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. Together with Ruth, he enjoyed traveling and experiencing several trips and cruises around the U.S., 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 wood working. 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 & 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. A Visitation and Memorial Service will be held at St. Robert of Newminster on Saturday, November 30, 2019, Rev. Leonard Sudlik presiding. The visitation with family will be held at 9:00am with mass following at 10:00am. A private family burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Robert of Newminster, 6477 Ada Drive SE, Ada 49301, Emmanuel Hospice, 401 Hall St SW Suite 263, Grand Rapids, 49503 or Homewatch CareGivers, 1550 E Beltline Ave SE Suite 245, Grand Rapids 49506. The family would like to thank Emmanuel Hospice and Homewatch CareGivers for their loving care and tremendous support.

Sign the Guestbook

2 Responses

  1. I wish you peace as your lives adjust to the absence of this lovely man.
    Remember that love is forever without end.
    He is but a thought away joined with you always heart to heart.

    With love,

    Laurie Tuttle

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.