James Thomas “Woody” Woodward joined his father, James Herman Woodward, his mother, Nannie Mae Woodward and his infant son, James Michael Woodward in heaven on October 3. Born in Toledo on August 14, 1938, Woody leaves behind five children, James (Angie) of Hilliard, Ohio, Frank (Mandi) of Luna Pier, Cathy Hagan (James) of Toledo, Cindy Rohrbaugh of Bryan and Scott (LeAnn) of Davenport, Iowa as well as twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Woody spent his career as a machine operator at the Chevrolet-Hyrdamatic transmission plant on Alexis Road where he was a long-time member and supporter of UAW Local 14. He was a ridiculously proud parent and grandparent, constantly celebrating the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Throughout his life, he committed himself to being there for people in need, with his life culminating in his care for dozens of men and women who he met through Alcoholics Anonymous. He was the embodiment of step nine, spending the latter part of his life making direct amends to people wherever possible. For years, he was a fixture at the Idle Time Club on the East Side, making sure there was coffee brewing every time the doors were opened. Countless people in the Toledo area consider Woody an important part of their recovery. He loved country music, fishing (especially on Lake Erie) and watching sports.
The family is being cared for by Sujkowski Funeral Home Northpointe, 114 E Alexis Rd, Toledo where the family will receive visitors on Wednesday from 2pm until 8pm. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Thursday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Historic Woodlawn Cemetery with Military Honors led by the VFW 606 Burial Corps.
Contributions may be made to Alcoholics Anonymous in memory of Woody. The family would like to thank Don and Lisa Gomer for their care of Woody over the past year and a half and the teams at University of Toledo Medical Center and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their care in his final days. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
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