Irvin L. Woodward

Irvin "Woody" Woodward, 93, Topeka, went to meet the Lord on Wednesday July 17, 2013, after a long and wonderful life. He was born August 28, 1919, to Andrew and Christina Luttig Woodward. Woody was the second of three children and both Bernice and Emmett preceded him in death. He was born in Easton Kansas, from there Woody moved by way of horse drawn wagon to a Pottawatomie Indian reservation near Mayetta, where he attended a one room school. Woody graduated from Holton High School.

He was a good looking "navy boy" that swept Betty Calderwood off her feet. Woody married his beautiful bride and best friend on March 6, 1940, and after 73 years of marriage, they were still best friends, in love, and he still thought she was beautiful. They then had three beautiful children, two sons Larry Woodward and Jim Woodward, and a daughter Linda Woodward Brady. He later received two more daughters and one son by way of marriage, Nancy, Mary, and J.R. Dad and mom always extended a hand for someone who needed a hand up by housing, feeding and mentoring people of all ages.

Woody was a building contractor and built over a thousand homes in the Topeka area with his partner Norbert Cress. They had the highest FHA rating for homebuilding in the state of Kansas for many years. A realtor told his grandson Brent, that a Woody Woodward house was used as a selling point because it was considered top quality. They were as solid as Woody. He was extremely hard working…Woody missed only one day of work during his entire working career.

He was an avid outdoorsman…a man's man. Whether choosing a wife, raising a family, building a house, riding a horse, training a dog, shooting a gun, being a World War II torpedo bomber, or being a role model grandparent, mediocrity was just not part of his DNA. This is shown by him averaging 42% of his hits as a torpedo bomber when the average was 2%. Woody was also inducted into the Kansas Heritage Hall of Fame in 2008 for his many field trial wins in the Pointing Dog Association and won the Doubles Trap Shooting championship in Vandalia, OH in 1956.

Dad had a booming voice (it may have even scared a few), and a contagious laugh. He was the prankster of all times…ask his friends and family. Dad had a laugh that would fill the room; you might say he was totally ornery. He left a wonderful legacy. Dad had a smile that could light up even the darkest room. He had the most compassionate heart and showed that to everybody around him. Woody was treasured by his grandchildren. He had 7 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Woody loved spending time with all of them.

"Dad we were so lucky to be able to spend over 90 years with you and having you show each and every one of us love in your very own special way … WE LOVE YOU!"

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road. Burial will follow at Rochester Cemetery. Woody will lie in state at the funeral home after 2:00 p.m. on Monday and visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The family suggests expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorials to Oakley Place Senior Living, 618 SW Oakley, Topeka, Kansas 66606.