Gary Woodward - LHS Class of 1949

John Gary Woodward Sr., 83, of Lansing, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at St. Luke’s Cushing Memorial Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas.
He was born on February 7, 1931, in Leavenworth, Kansas, the son of John Glen and Lillie Jane (Stevens) Woodward, both of whom are deceased.
Gary attended the public schools of Leavenworth (K-12), graduating from Leavenworth Senior High School in 1949. He was granted a B.S. Ed, degree from Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia in 1954; and a M. Ed. degree from the University of Kansas, at Lawrence, in 1963. He taught his first eight years in Leavenworth County, five years at Jarbalo Rural High School (1954-1956 & 1959-1962) and three years at Easton Rural High School (1956-1959). He was Principal of Princeton Schools (Grades 1-12), at Princeton, Kansas, for one year (1962-1963). He, then, went to Effingham, Kansas, where he held the position of Elementary Principal for 22 years (1963-1985), the last 19 years of which he was Principal of all the elementary schools in Atchison County (1966-1985), outside of the City of Atchison.
He was elected to the City Council of Effingham in 1983 and served in that position for two years. He was Principal of the Elementary and Middle Schools in Overbrook, Kansas for three years (1985-1988); and Vice Principal of the Elementary and Middle Schools in Richmond, Missouri for two years (1988-1990). He, then, became semi-retired, teaching part-time, as a GED Instructor at the Kansas State Correctional Facility in Lansing for two years (1991-1992); and as an ABE/GED instructor for Saint Mary College Outfront for 13 years (1992-2004), the last ten years of which he was assigned to the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth (1994-2004).
Over the course of these years, Gary was a teacher, mentor, and leader to many, many students. He was very proud of his former students and loved to stay in touch via Facebook! His true passion was researching his family's Genealogy. Gary also loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Gary was married to Ruth Mateel Peak on March 29, 1953. Together, the two created a loving home to six children.
Gary was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, daughter Mary and step grandson Brian.
On January 1, 1999, Gary married his childhood sweetheart Eva Pauline Gilman (LHS Class of 1950). Pauline survives in the home. Gary is also survived by his sons John Gary Woodward Jr. and wife Julie of Emporia, Kan., Mike Woodward of Green Cove Springs, Florida, Dave Woodward of Newton Kan., Josh Woodward and wife Gillette of De Soto, Kan., his daughter Susan Sinclair and husband Gary of Atchison, Kan., his step-sons Stephen and wife Chris Freed of Manhattan, Kan., David and wife Julie Freed of Lisbon, Iowa and Robert and wife Janet Freed of Delta, Colo., eleven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, one step-great grandchild. 
Services were held Monday October 27, 2014. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Leavenworth First Christian Church, 130 North 6th, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Arrangements were entrusted to Davis Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be left on Gary's online guestbook at www.davisfuneralchapelinc.com.

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