Woods Allen Caperton

Woods Allen Caperton Funeral services for Woods Allen Caperton, 89, of Caldwell will be held Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Skip Stutts officiating at the Elizabeth Lutheran Church in Caldwell. Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Caldwell under the care and direction of Strickland Funeral Home. A visitation is scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2009 from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., also at Strickland Funeral Home. Woods passed away on November 15, 2009, at St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan, Texas. Pallbearers will be Mark Goodman, Jay Jezierski, Don Mauro, Jon Miller, Roger Miller, Le Nhgiem, Wayne Prescott, and Steve Rodgers. Honorary pallbearers will be Gene Barber, the Honorable Ben Barnes, A.W. Brewer, Ron Dusek, James A. Gray, Harry Green, Charles Hancock, Frank Maresh, Jim Marsh, Clayton Myers, H.R. Towslee, and Sal Zaccagnino. Woods was born October 22, 1920, to Clyde Milton Caperton and Annie Allen Caperton in Bell County, Texas. He married Dorothy Steglich on December 5, 1942 at her parents' home. Woods, who served as the County Judge for Burleson County from 1983 until 1995, is remembered for his concern and kindness in performing his duties of the office had a proud history of service to the community, both political and civic. This dedication to community has long been a foundation of his life, and he passed that civic duty onto his family. Woods provided 27 years of dedicated service to the Soil Conservation Service before his retirement. The Soil Conservation Service (SCS), now known as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is the lead agency in providing technical assistance to farmers and ranchers in Texas, and has responsibility for USDA cost-share programs involving certain conservation practices. NRCS soil scientists use soil data to determine opportunities for specific land uses and to aid land managers in conservation practices to protect critical areas. Its engineers provide technical assistance for installation of water control and management structures. The NRCS has responsibility for administering the Forestry Incentives Program (FIP). Woods served as a member of the Board of Directors for Germania Farm Mutual Insurance Company for eighteen years; Germania began over 100 years ago in Perry, Texas, with 31 Central Texas farmers committed to the principle that bearing one another's burdens made them all stronger and with over 325 active local chapters and 150,000 members, it is the largest farm mutual insurance company operating in Texas. He was a member and former President of the Caldwell Lions Club. Woods served seventeen years as a member of the Caldwell ISD School Board in addition to serving on the Burleson County Hospital District. During Woods' service on the boards, the new high school was built and the new hospital was begun. Woods devoted his time as Chairman of both the Brazos Valley Development Council and MHMR of the Brazos Valley. He founded the Caldwell Cub Scouts and helped found the Caldwell Little League. Woods and Dorothy were devoted members of the Elizabeth Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday school for many years. He served as both Secretary and President of the church council. During his service to the church, he served on the Building Committee for not one, but two Elizabeth Lutheran Churches in Caldwell. He is survived by his two sons and daughter-in law Mark and Ginny Caperton of Austin, Kent Caperton of Austin, daughter and son-in-law Roxanne Caperton and Rodney Varner, grandchildren, Mark Allen Caperton, Kelly Caperton Fischer and Eric, Kathryn Gabbert and Jeff, Adam Caperton Varner, Elizabeth Roxanne Varner, and great grandchild, Lucia Woods Gabbert. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Steglich Caperton, in 2005, his parents, and one son, Clay Jason Caperton, in 1987. His beloved wife Dorothy once wrote, "To friends that were here in Burleson County all their lives and for many generations, he said they were here by chance and he is here by choice. Many times it would have been easier to move nearer his job. But his love for Caldwell kept him here." "...and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8 The family suggest memorials be made to the Elizabeth Lutheran Church, PO Box 675, Caldwell, Texas 77836, and the Caldwell Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, 306 W. Fox, Caldwell, Texas 77836. Please visit our website at www.stricklandfuneralhomes.com