Stewart 'Woody' Ames Woodward, 88

Stewart “Woody” Ames Woodward, 88, passed away on Wednesday Sept. 5, 2012, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.  

Woody was born on March 15, 1924, in Wyckoff, N.J. He attended schools in New Jersey, New York and Oklahoma.

In 1944, his future sister-in-law introduced him to his future wife, Anna Marie Riley. They were married in Paterson, N.J., in 1950 and in November 2012 they would have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. While they were engaged, Woody traveled to the University of Oklahoma in Norman where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. Woody was then hired by General Electric. While employed at GE, Woody developed 19 patents for GE and various other companies.

Woody retired from GE in 1985 after 35 years. He and Anna relocated from Morrison, Ill., to El Paso, Texas, where they lived for 20 years.

Woody had an enthusiasm for many things including fishing, gardening, hiking, music, model railroading, stained glass, and working with the McGruff Program for the City of El Paso Police Department. He kept busy with all his activities, but mostly he was dedicated to caring for his family. His son Kevin was born in 1955, and his daughter Arlene was born in 1959, both in Bridgeport, Conn. He loved spending time with Kevin and Arlene in the outdoors. He participated with Kevin in Boy Scout camps in all seasons, and outdoor adventures including fishing with Kevin and Arlene on the Long Island Sound and water-skiing on the Mississippi River.  

Once Woody retired from GE, he and Anna hit the road to all corners of the U.S. and the world, from New Zealand to Ireland. In 2007, they moved to Kalispell to be near Kevin and his family. They continued to make their annual trip to Cape Cod to spend three weeks with Arlene and Rick.  

Woody is survived by his wife of 62 years, Anna Woodward, of Kalispell; son, Kevin, and wife, Monica, of Kalispell; and daughter, Arlene, and husband, Rick, of Peabody, Mass.; grandchildren, Jerry and wife Sarah of Kalispell, and Jenny of Missoula; and nieces, Tara and Cheryl Fulton.

A graveside service will be held for Woody at 1 p.m. today, Sept. 8, at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Alzheimer’s Association Montana Chapter, 3010 11th Ave. North, Billings, MT 59101-0726. Specify “In memory of Stewart Woodward.”

Woody’s family would like to thank the staff at Immanuel Lutheran Skilled Care Bratsberg Unit for all their help and loving care, including Pastors Kathy and Joe.