Jerry D. Woody

Jerry D. (“J-Dub”) Woody passed away on June 3, 2013 after a two-year battle with prostate cancer. Jerry was born in Poteau, Oklahoma on February 24, 1939 to James Harra and Ara Lydia (Griffith) Woody. Jerry was the youngest of 5 children. He had 3 brothers, Wayne, Bill and Jim and 1 sister, Wanda Evans. When Jerry was four, the family moved to Pittsburg, Kansas, and then to Kansas City, Missouri when he was six. Jerry grew up in the northeast area of Kansas City and graduated from Northeast High School in 1957.

Jerry met his wife Mary (Brown), of 55 years through mutual friends and they were married on October 11, 1957. Jerry didn’t know it at the time, but when he married Mary, he also “adopted” her sister, Shelia. Jerry was the big brother she never had and he helped her finish high school, taught her how to drive and watched out for her throughout her life. Jerry and Mary had three children, William D. Woody (Lorene), Susan Edwards (Mike) and Shana Bledsoe-Grandgenett (Mike). Jerry moved his family to Independence in 1969 and into the family home in 1971 where Jerry and Mary resided ever since.

Jerry was a people person which made him the perfect salesman. He truly enjoyed talking with and getting to know people. In the early days, he sold insurance through Prudential Insurance Company and obtained his real estate license, but later returned to sales. He enjoyed hanging out with his fellow salesmen at Volume TV (& Appliance) and later bought the business. He also worked at Fairway TV.

Jerry and Mary were blessed with 7 grandchildren: Christopher J. Woody (deceased), Nicholas S. Woody, Andrew M. Edwards, Griffin D. Bledsoe, Ella Grace Grandgenett, Jennifer N. Bailey (Sean) and Tara M. Richardson. He had a knack for making each one of them feel special and loved to spoil and tease them as only a grandfather could. Being the youngest granddaughter, Gracie Mae as he called her, was the light of his eyes!

Jerry’s true calling was being a Grandpa or “Papaw” as his grandkids called him. There was nothing better that he liked to do than to spend time with young people. While Mary watched many kids in their home as babies and as kids before and after school, Jerry always considered himself and became their “Grandpa” and attended their school and extra-curricular events just like a grandpa would. Jerry is grandpa to D.J., Meaghan, Hannah, Angela, Lindsey, McKenna, Jesse, Gabe, Casey and Kiley.

Jerry had many hobbies, but there were two that he excelled at. He loved to work on his house and became known to us as Mr. Fix-it. Anyone who knew him knows that he had about 15 projects going on all at once. He’d always start another project before totally finishing another. These weren’t simple projects either. They were things like re-siding his house, putting up a fence around his pool and even tearing down a wall and rebuilding it as recent as last winter. He loved to keep busy.

His other favorite hobby was hanging out with his kids and grandkids. That is probably why he never completed any of his projects. Any time one of us called and invited him out for breakfast, to the hardware store or over for dinner, or if we’d stop by the house, he’d drop everything and just spend time with us. His most favorite thing to do was to sit on his back porch with whomever was there, drinking a beer and smoking a cigar, but mostly with his two best buddies M1 and M2 (Mike and Mike - his sons-in-law). He really looked forward to those times. His porch was his sanctuary.

Jerry was a simple, non-assuming person. He wasn’t rich by financial standards, but was certainly rich in the legacy that he has left. He touched so many lives and will be deeply missed. I am sure he didn’t even realize the impact he made on those around him.

The Woody Family would like to thank each and every one of you. The love and support expressed during these past few years during dad’s illness and especially during these past few, very difficult months has been inspiring and very much appreciated. A special thanks to dad’s sister, Wanda, for not only her love and support, but also, her friendship with dad and with us these past few years. Funeral services are 2:00 pm Saturday June 8th at Mount Moriah Terrace Park Funeral Home, with visitation preceding services 1:00 - 2:00 pm. Burial in Mount Moriah Terrace Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Cancer Research.

Today, we honor a great man and a great dad. May you rest in peace Dad and guide us all as we carry on your legacy