Guy C. Woodruff III

Guy C. Woodruff III passed away Saturday, May 10, 2008 after more than five years courageously battling a rare form of brain cancer. The family thanks Dr. Lon Smith and Dr. Ardow Ameduri, of South Texas Oncology and Hematology, for giving Guy over five years of quality of life. Additionally, the family thanks Dr. Ed Sargent, primary care physician; Dr. David Dean, neurosurgeon; Dr. Thomas Egbert, dentist; and Dr. Raul Treviño, optometrist who cared for Guy during his illness. Guy is survived by his wife of 32 years, Irma Calderón Woodruff; his daughter, Whitney Woodruff; his mother Anna Gene Woodruff of El Paso; his brothers Ted Woodruff of Brownsville and Pete Woodruff of Los Angeles, California; his sisters Laura Gutierrez and her family of El Paso; Susan Woodruff, Ph.D., and her family of San Diego, California; Lesley Muth and her family of Washington D.C.; and his life-long best friends John Berta of Round Rock; James Roy of El Paso, and Larry Morrison of Fort Worth. Guy was born November 29, 1946 in Alpine, Texas where he was reared and attended high school. He was a member of the United States Air Force for four years, and attended the University of Texas at El Paso. Guy worked for Electronic Data Systems in El Paso, Dallas, San Antonio, and St. Louis, Missouri—and for USAA in San Antonio where he was a senior systems analyst and had many friends including James Harrison and John Vega. Guy loved the art of programming, using logic to solve complex programming problems, golf, reading, Starbucks coffee, smoking cigars and driving his convertible Thunderbird. He was regarded by friends for his sharp wit and his penchant for sarcasm and humor. His contributions to the communities where he lived were helping undocumented workers to learn English, secure their papers and find meaningful employment. He helped many people without fanfare. Guy will be missed deeply by his family. In his honor, a rosary will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. and a mass from 7 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 16 at Holy Spirit Church, 8134 Blanco Road, 341-1395. A reception will follow at 8 p.m. at the home of Guy Woodruff. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to ThriveWell Cancer Foundation, 7979 Wurzbach, Suite U415, San Antonio, Texas 78229, 210-593-5767 or to the Catholic Community Foundation, 2718 W. Woodlawn Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 2718 W. Woodlawn Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78228, 210-734-1910. We must express our gratitude to several individuals who tirelessly and consistently were there for Guy when we needed that extra hug, encouragement, or kiss when we were distraught and tired. Elena Castillo, we could not have made it without your time, dedication, Motherly love and support. You treated Guy like your own son and we cannot find words to tell you how much you are loved and appreciated. Tony and Skip, you dropped whatever you were doing in the middle of the afternoon or the night to help us. You were tireless, compassionate and loving to Guy during the toughest times when we cried. Thank you. Olga and Ralph, you always listened, ran errands and tried to make us laugh, even when we were down. We love you. Mrs. Woodruff, the loss of a child is unimaginable. With your calls, trips and gifts, you brought much joy to Guy. Just as you labored at his birth, he waited until your recent visit to labor and move on to eternal life. It was a miracle! Ted and Pete, Guy always felt loved by you and he enjoyed your visits so much. Ted, you were the only one who could make Guy do things, like go to the Zoo. Then he'd be in bed for three days to recover from the exhaustion, but he loved it. Laura, Susan and Lesley, Guy loved and admired you. He appreciated your calls and prayers. Laura, I will never be able to thank you enough for bringing Guy into my life. Thank you for visiting him and being the sweetest person we know. John, Jaime and Larry, thank you for the calls, the visits and for being Guy's best friends. To our neighbors, the Wolf and Hetrick families, thank you for the talks, smokies and visits when Guy sat in the garage. Steve, thank you and your sons for treating Guy with dignity the times he fell and you lifted him. The prayers, food, visits, calls, e-mails, attention and love we have received from everyone will be forever in our hearts. May our Lord give you all the blessings of this life as he has now given Guy the blessings of everlasting life. Irma and Whitney