Robert James Woody

Our beloved Robert J. Woody, who took the Road Less Traveled and showed us what Love looks like, died on November 8, 2023. He left this world a better place.

Robert was born in Midland, Texas to Alvin and Joanna Woody, who predeceased him. At Cooper High School in Abilene, TX, Robert lived out his glory days as the unlikely pick for "Monster" under the bright "Friday Night Lights." Quoted in the local paper, Robert's football coach said "Woody makes up for lack of size with character and football sense." Indeed.

A cradle Southern Baptist, Robert received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Baylor University where he excelled in both curricular and extracurricular activities with KOT. His mediation skills were honed when he saved the future legal careers of several successful and eternally grateful lawyers following a prank-gone-wrong. You know who you are.

Winning the National Mock Trial Competition took Robert to a leading New York City law firm, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Well-liked and gifted in the law, he was offered a lucrative partnership which he subsequently turned down to discern his true vocation. The spiritual journey he set out on would eventually lead to ordination as an Episcopal priest.

During his time at Simpson & Bartlett, Robert met and married Julie Plantes. They moved to the Catskill Mountains, where Robert single-handily renovated a broken-down, turn-of-the-century church into a home. Seth Woody was born in the Catskills and Sam Woody was born two years later, shortly after Robert and Julie moved to Austin, Texas. After several years of practicing law in Austin, Robert discerned the call to go to seminary and earned his M.Div at Seminary of the Southwest.

After three years as Associate Rector of Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd Church in Tomball, Texas, Robert answered the call to Church of Reconciliation in San Antonio. He served for sixteen years as Rector, leading the church in the practice of radical inclusion, born out of a theology of love.

Robert encountered his Creator in Creation. He loved birds, bow hunting, fly fishing, wilderness backpacking, and traversing as often as he could to the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. He shared his passion with his family, friends and parishioners. He did service work in Costa Rica, Navajo Land and locally in REC's neighborhood. He spent a sabbatical in Rwanda where he studied reconciliation.

In January 2020, Robert received a devastating dual diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), formerly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). He called the diagnosis his "last great adventure" and somehow held onto his gentle spirit. In the end, the FTD and ALS rendered him unable to move or speak or swallow or breathe. He will be sorely missed.

In addition to Julie, Seth, and Sam, Robert is survived by his sister Christy White (Jim), brother Sterling Woody (Leigh), Julie's siblings, and many beloved nephews and nieces. He's also predeceased by his many dogs including Trixie, Hugo, Cassie, Maggie, Katie, Ellie, Frank and Lucky. The family wishes to thank siblings and friends who supported Robert, Julie, Sam and Seth throughout the last four years, as well as his loving caregivers, especially Sandra Rosales, hospice workers, especially RN Beverly, and Lily, Robert's canine caregiver extraordinaire.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Church of Reconciliation on Wednesday November 15 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Church of Reconciliation or Abode Contemplative Care for the Dying.