John Thomas Woodard passed from this life peacefully on Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at the age of 81 in Wichita Falls, Texas after a short battle with stage 4 melanoma cancer.

A public memorial and graveside service will be held Friday, January 11th, 2019 at 2:00 pm at the Womack Manard Funeral Home Chapel in Crowell, Texas and a graveside service will immediately follow.  All family and friends are welcome to celebrate John's life with his family.

John was a loving Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother and Uncle.  John was born in Shallow Water, Texas and as a young child was raised in Salinas, California.  John's teenage years were spent in Levelland, Texas.  Later, John moved back to California where he had a passion for bow and arrow hunting.  He then moved to Alaska, where his heart will always be, and spent most of his adult life there.  His happiest time was camping, fishing and hunting in the great outdoors of Alaska.

John also spent time in New York and Germany due to his lifelong career of managing laundry and dry cleaning facilities.  He had a very fulfilling career managing facilities at San Quentin Prison, West Point Military Academy and several other military bases.

When John retired, he moved to Crowell to be near his mother, sister and many nephews, nieces and cousins.  He truly loved Crowell, Texas and treasured the friendly people, the wide open land and the big sky full of stars many nights!

John was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Virgil Woodard and Lovebelle Jane Avara Woodard.

John was survived by three daughters:  Donna Behnke and her husband, Bruce of Houston, Texas; Diana Moore and Bob Moore of Granite Falls, Washington; and Dana Shelley, and her husband, Emory, of Pensacola, Florida.

He is also survived by 6 precious grandchildren:  Major Nicholas Eslinger and his wife, Callisse of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Daniel Behnke and his wife, Courtney of Humble, Texas; Kodi Moore of Granite Falls, Washington; Noelle Shelley and Kylie Shelley of Pensacola, Florida and Jamie Smith and her husband, David Smith of Milton, Florida.

John had 7 great grandchildren:  Elle, Quinn and Aven Eslinger; Jaxson and Luka Lemoine; and Zane and Brody Berry.

John was also survived by four sisters:  Jeannette Bond and her husband, Bill of Crowell, Texas; Dolores Aguirre of Oregon, Cindy Meacham and her husband, Mike, of Vancouver, Washington and Betty Dirks of Oregon.  John also had two brothers; Elmer Woodard and his wife, Heidi of Yelm, Washington and Matthew Woodard of Oregon.

John was survived by many nieces and nephews including Billy and Jodi Bond, Debra Bond, Chelsea Hinsley and her husband, Anthony; Kristen Edwards and her husband, Jay; and Levi Bond and his wife, Hailey; and Jimmy and Lexi Bond.

We were so lucky to have him.  The void left by his death will never be filled.  We will love and miss him always.

Memorials may be made to Foard County 4-H Club, c/o Michael Boman, P.O. Box 669, Crowell, Texas 79227.