Gary Francis Woodard passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024, after a decade-long struggle with health issues caused by exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. Gary was born on January 4, 1951, in St. Albans, VT, and moved to Mansfield, at a young age.
Gary will be remembered as a dedicated Ohio State football fan and proud Vietnam veteran. As the result of his military service in the US Army, Gary was an excellent rifleman and won many turkey-shoots at his American Legion post, where he enjoyed being a member. An avid racing fan, he was a volunteer flagger at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for Lake Erie Communications and visited the track often as a hobby and to support his son.
He was an employee at Therm-O-Disc for more than 40 years, retiring in 2014. He was also a dedicated member of the National Ski Patrol at both Clearfork and SnowTrails.
Gary is survived by his wife and caregiver, Gay; children, Cary, Brett (Alyssa) and Gabrielle Woodard; siblings, Tony, Jon, Tom Woodard and Marilyn (Dan) Bottorf; grandchildren, Gavin and Owin Woodard; along with many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jon and Jeanette, and brother, Jeff.
Family and friends are invited to memorialize Gary at calling hours on July 16, 2024, from 4-8 p.m. at Wappner Funeral Directors – Ontario, 100 S. Lexington Springmill Rd. The family encourages guests to wear their favorite Ohio State gear. A funeral service officiated by Pastor Dan Dickman will be held on July 17, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest at Mansfield Memorial Park with military honors presented by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Gary’s memory to the Humane Society of Richland County.
