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ROY WOOFTER Obituary

ROY WOOFTER Roy A. Woofter, 79, passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, in his home. He was surrounded by his wife and family. Roy was born April 18, 1933, to Blair and Geraldine Woofter (Bell) in Sheridan, Wyo. He did most of his growing up in Sheridan with his best friend, Dutch. Roy often accompanied his father on his work trips to Las Vegas. During those times Roy attended public schools both in Sheridan and in Las Vegas. Education was important to Roy's parents; he was always in school even while traveling back and forth. Most of his adolescence was spent in Sheridan. Roy worked hard in his early life; as he did later in life. In Sheridan, he and Dutch both worked for the railroad as Gandy Dancers, while saving their money to go to college. Roy has been a resident of Las Vegas for 60 years. Roy attended UNLV, a junior college on a dirt road named Maryland Parkway. While going to college, Roy worked for Union Pacific Railroad in Las Vegas - only this time he worked in the office. After serving as a Corporal in the U.S. Army in both Germany and France, using his entitlement from his GI Bill, Roy then went on to receive his bachelor's and master's of science degrees from University of Nevada, Reno. One of Roy's mentors was Senator Howard Cannon who encouraged him to apply and attend George Washington School of Law in Washington, D.C., where he graduated with his law degree. During his internship, Roy worked under President John Fitzgerald Kennedy as a law clerk. When President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated, he then continued to work as a law clerk for President Lyndon B. Johnson. Roy ccame back to Las Vegas to practice law and dedicated his early years to teaching, coaching and lecturing to students in Clark and Washoe Counties. Roy worked with numerous charitable, civic, sports and youth organizations and received countless awards for his efforts; some of which included Man of the Year Award to Roy and Mayor Ron Lurie from Help Them Walk Again, for actions in support of spinal injury research; he also received recognition and awards for his effort to communicate with Spanish-speaking people and his outstanding contributions to the Mexican community. Roy was involved with the Scleroderma Foundation Board and hosted all the fund-raising events at his home. He was Director and Active Member of UNLV's Alumni Association, an active member of UNR Alumni Association and for the past 21 years has been an active member of the Maaco Las Vegas Bowl Executive Committee. Roy was an avid supporter of sports in the Las Vegas community where he supported American Legion baseball for youth, UNLV basketball, football and baseball. In 2001, a generous donation was made from Roy to the UNLV baseball. In honor of Roy's donation, UNLV had a table and bench erected and donated in memory of his father, Blair. Roy loved baseball and was a shareholder of the Las Vegas Stars Baseball Team. Roy and the other shareholders were instrumental in establishing Cashman Field. In 1991, a city park was named the Roy Woofter Park. Upon the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony performed by Mayor Jan Jones, Roy immediately rededicated his park to his family, honoring his uncle, a police officer who died in the line of duty, and his father, Blair. Roy immediately renamed the park "Woofter Family Park." Roy served the State of Nevada for 50 years; from 1966-1968, he was a Deputy Public Defender (one of three who originated the Public Defender's Office); 1968-1969, Deputy District Attorney (responsible for the prosecution of over 100 preliminary hearings and jury trials); 1969-1971, Justice of the Peace-Clark County, Nevada where he presided over 1,000 felony preliminary hearings and criminal misdemeanor trails; 1971-1974, District Attorney-Clark County, Nevada where he personally prosecuted jury trials (seven murders with successful convictions in each of them), and created the first and only District Attorney Youth Advisory Council comprised of students representative of all Clark County high schools, to work with law enforcement in the DA's Office in formulating goals for a better relationship between the youth and law enforcement; he was also a member of the Liquor and Gaming Board for two years; 1975-1982, maintained his private law practice Continued...

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Published by Las Vegas Review-Journal from Jan. 28 to Jan. 30, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for ROY WOOFTER

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Matthew Woofter

February 9, 2013

R.I.P..Uncle your light still shines bright in my heart!thank you for your example and words of life..Your nephew loves and misses you.......

cino family

February 1, 2013

Diane and family,
May god bless you all.our hearts go out to your entire family. Roy was a great man who helped many people in his life.god bless and stay well.all our love.

February 1, 2013

Roy was City Attorney of North Las Vegas when I met him in 1982. He hired me as Deputy City Attorney that year. Roy was always enthuastic about life and the practice of law. He never met a person without becoming that person's friend. I will certainly miss him. He was a great man and a good friend.

Paul LaVoie

February 1, 2013

Roy was a wonderful man and mentor to me while growing up in Las Vegas. His generosity was incredible and I certainly wouldn't be the man I am today without his presence in my life back then. My mother was so very fond of him and absolutely loved working for "Mr. Woofter." Thank you for everything you did for all of us Roy and for your selfless contributions to the Las Vegas community. You left your mark on many projects and charitable causes that will impact several generations to come.

jim bilbray

February 1, 2013

rest in peace old friend

January 31, 2013

Diane and Family,

I was saddened to hear of Roy's passing. He will certainly be remembered for the wonderful person he was and for his contributions to Las Vegas. Please know that my prayers are with you and your family.

Sincerely,

Barbara Cella

JIm Woofter

January 31, 2013

Diane:
Roy was as great gentleman who waps always there to help h is friends and family. I remember the day they announced the Woofter Family Park, and Roy was so proud of his family.

Love and Prayers

Cousin Jim Woofter
Woofter Fazmily Genealogist

January 30, 2013

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Bill Tomany

January 30, 2013

Rest in Peace my long time Friend Gone but never forgotten

Bob and Jodi Wiseman

January 29, 2013

Roy was a friend and his family was one of the first to welcome me to the Las Vegas area in 1954. He was a good man and did his best to keep a smile on everyone's face. My wife and I will miss him.

Elana Sulllivan Roberto

January 29, 2013

Diane and Family ~
Roy was a wonderful man who will be remembered well for all the great things he contributed to Las Vegas. He was full of life and always kind to me. You are in our prayers.

Tammy Wooldridge

January 29, 2013

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Yini 'Mendoza' Gottenborg

January 29, 2013

"Uncle Roy" as we Mendoza "kids" have called him for the past 40 yrs, was quite a wonderful and giving man. He and my father, among others, helped the Help Them Walk Again become a successful organization. My best memories of my wedding reception was when my "Uncle Roy" dance with me. Unbeknownst to him, I have 3 feet, yet he still managed to fling me like a ragdoll.I've never laughed so hard on the dance floor. Uncle Roy, thank you for the wonderful memories..I'm sure you and my dadddy Sergio are toasting with margaritas right now. Diane, If there's ANYTHING I can do,please let me know!!!

Rolando Larraz

January 28, 2013

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