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Gregory Vallerie Woodard

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Morehouse College University of Southern California

Gregory Woodard Obituary

Gregory Vallerie WOODARD Gregory Vallerie Woodard, longtime resident of Seattle's Queen Anne Hill, passed away suddenly early Sunday morning, December 18, 2005. Greg was born in New Orleans on May 18, 1946, where he was raised by his parents Amos & Leona Woodard, with his older brother Amos Newton Woody Woodard and a colorful cast of friends and family who served as the inspiration for many terrific (though perhaps slightly and lovingly embellished) stories. He attended college at Morehouse College, and graduate school at the University of Southern California, where he met his future wife, Diana Beiswanger Woodard. Greg and Diana were married in 1972 and later settled in Seattle, where Greg worked for Boeing and they raised their daughter, Anna Katharine Woodard, on Queen Anne Hill. Greg was preceded in death by Diana, whom we lost to breast cancer in June of 2003, as well as his parents, and brother Woody. He is survived by daughter Anna; dear friend and companion Leone Powers; sister-in-law Bettye Woodard; nephew Derek Woodard (Rosalyn); nieces Cheryll Woodard Hudson (Tyrone), and Cheryll's daughter, Keyanne LaBeaud (Ronald); Karen Woodard; Pamela Woodard, as well Pamela's children Ryan, Priscell, and Allegra Prillman; and many, many friends too numerous to mention. Greg was a loving father, husband, and friend who was well-loved in return and will be dearly missed by family and friends from Canada to Seattle, to his birthplace in New Orleans and beyond. There will be a Memorial Service at Queen Anne Lutheran Church, located at 2400 8th Avenue West (W. McGraw & 8th Ave. W.), Seattle, WA 98119, at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 22. Following the service, there will be a Celebration of Greg's Life at The Ruins, 570 Roy Street, Seattle, WA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any remembrance be sent to one of the following charitable organizations: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O.Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309; Rebuilding Together Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, 1536 16th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20036-1402; Habitat for Humanitys Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, 121 Habitat Street, Americus, GA 31709-3498; Mercy Corps Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, P.O. Box 2669, Portland, OR 97208; or to the charitable organization of your choice serving victims of Hurricane Katrina.

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Published by The Seattle Times from Dec. 21 to Dec. 25, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Gregory Woodard

20 Entries

John Kayon

December 30, 2005

Anna:

I am in shock after speaking with you today Greg always spoke fondly of you and your mother I was so blessed to be able to meet Greg when Susan refered me.Greg was a trusting and special man his love for you and his life was strong and constant. I had a wonderfull time fixing the house you grew up in and hope Greg enjoyed spending his days in it after the work was completed. Gregs insite and spirit were allways a joy to be around he loved all people and made a huge diffrerence in many peoples lifes he will be greatly missed.

Love John Kayon

Diana Ramirez

December 28, 2005

Anna,

I was so sorry to hear the news about Greg, he will be missed by many of his Boeing friends. God bless and take care, Diana

Rebecca Andrews

December 27, 2005

Anna, family and friends,

I was very sorry to learn of Greg's death, and I extend my deepest sympathies to you. I knew Greg through the cancer support group that he and Diana attended at Group Health. He was such a kind and loving soul, and so caring, and the two of them showed the group such great strength and courage on their journey together through Diana's cancer. My thoughts are with you all.

Phil Irwin

December 24, 2005

Anna - it has been many years since you and Emily played soccer together on the Panthers and your Mom and Dad watched and I coached. Those were very fond times for me. As the years have passed I have run into your Dad a number of times, allowing us a chance to catch up on you and Emily as well as discuss the current travails of the Boeing Company. Your Dad was such a fine fellow, so full of caring and genuine regard for others. He was a class act (as was your Mom too!), It is so hard to lose parents so early and if there is anything the Irwins can do to, please let us know. We all think of you so fondly.

Phil

Dawn Kraut

December 24, 2005

Greg was taken away from us before I had the pleasure of personally meeting him - however, being a life-long friend of Leone, I had a chance to hear so many wonderful things about him. I am so sorry for the loss that she and so many others now feel in his passing. He clearly must have been an exceptionally special person.

Joseph Filoseta

December 23, 2005

Hello Anna. We met last night at the reception for your Father. I told you that he attended a dinner with Leon and a group of friends last Friday night. In the very short time we spent together I had a sense of what a special person he was.

He will be missed by many. My sincerest and deepest sympathies go out to you for your loss. Joe

Gina Jones

December 22, 2005

Dearest Anna, I am so sorry to hear about your father. I had the pleasure of working for your father for several years. He hired me as a contractor for Boeing in October, 1997. I have since then gone on to have a successful Boeing career.

Your father was more than just a boss to me. He was my friend and I loved him dearly. I was truly touched by his passion and drive. I don't think I was ever happier with a job than I was while working for you father and with the great group he assembled.

I also had the privilege of meeting your mother. She was a wonderful woman. I will treasure my memory of both of them.

Even though we have never met, please feel free to contact me if ever you are in Texas or if you need anything.

God Bless You, Gina Kelly Jones

Mamie Marshall

December 22, 2005

Greg: My last memory of your smiling face as you poked your head into 11D5 on Thursday is the one I'll carry with me 'til we meet again. Thank you for your friendship, encouragement and leadership, and for always having the courage to think outside of the box. I'll always remember you, and I thank the Lord for you always. Love and big hugs, Mamie

Linda Eades Gardner

December 22, 2005

To Anna, Family & Friends,

As a caregiver participating in the Group Heath Cancer Support Group, I came to know and admire Greg. His devotion to Diana and to you, Anna, were a source of inspiration and, to this day, still warms my heart. My thoughts are with you, your family and all who are mourning his passing and celebrating his life.

Linda

Mark Schueler

December 22, 2005

Greg -

I am glad of your acquaintance and having had the genuine pleasure of working with you. I regret not having gotten to know you better. Go softly, sir. I am one of many who respected, admired, and will miss you.

Scott Burke

December 21, 2005

Greg was a valued co-worker whom I approached on several occasions to brainstorm ideas and gain his perspective. I always appreciated his insights. I will miss his friendly smile.

Marilyn Eveland

December 21, 2005

Greg and Family,

Your Boeing family will miss your warm smile and your kind and gentle nature. One of our best and brightest!

Debra Overlin

December 21, 2005

Greg was a bright spot in our daily lives at Boeing. I have worked with him over the years and always looked forward to his calming influence and resonant tones as we spoke. We just recently worked on a project together and his wisdom and support, were, as always, welcome. He will be missed.

Lori Hatch

December 21, 2005

Dearest Greg,

We will miss you greatly...You have been a dedicated coworker who always had the brightest ideas. You were my mentor, and I thank you for your wonderful, spiritual personality...

Ann Bassetti

December 21, 2005

You were an empassioned advocate for web accessibility, Greg. I'll miss collaborating with you on that effort, as well as the occasional chance meeting at Greenlake and your great smile. Darn! I didn't know you were a jazz fan -- that would've been another good topic for us. Blessings.

Elaine Secrist

December 21, 2005

Greg,

You will be missed. We wing you on your way in Love and Light.

Diana Jones

December 21, 2005

I never met Greg personally but knew him from conference calls. I will miss his sense of wit and humor. He is in a far better place than we are now.

Good Bye Greg. DD

Kim Armstrong

December 21, 2005

Greg - I will miss you! We sure did have some fun and laughs when we planned the summit a few years ago. It was really a wonderful time and I was so glad to have known you. You will be missed! God Bless!

Sandie White

December 21, 2005

Though I only met Greg a few times, we worked together virtually for more than a year. He was a tremendous help to me, always willing to teach, to support, to do whatever needed to be done. He was a dedicated, caring man. I will miss him.

Kari Rankins

December 20, 2005

Greg: I will truly miss our conversations about jazz and your wonderful attitude about life....you've been a great buddy at work and I will miss you dearly..

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