Rufus Woody, 88, who was a loving husband, father, and grandfather died Friday, September 3, 2010. He was the proud father of four children: Rufus III, Lou Kier, Andy, and Claire Loria, and a devoted grandfather of ten. He was the proud great-grandfather of four. Rufus became an Eagle Scout in 1937; he served as an Assistant Scoutmaster in West Des Moines, IA, from 1957 to 1960.
Rufus dedicated his professional life to public service. He retired as a Colonel after 31 years in the Air Force. He served in the European Theater during WWII flying P-38s. On May 17, 1944, he photographed Omaha Beach at fifty feet, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Later the engineers told him that the photos allowed them to destroy obstacles which probably saved thousands of American lives. He flew 69 missions with the 31st Recon Sqdn. during which he was awarded a Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 11 OLCs, and the unit received 4 stars while supporting General Patton’s 3rd Army across Europe. After retiring from the Air Force, Rufus became a public safety expert for the State of Texas, planning evacuation and emergency response plans for different municipalities.
The day after retiring from public service, Rufus began volunteering for Meals on Wheels and More in 1984 with his late wife of 63 years, Martha. During his 26 years of service, it is estimated that Rufus delivered more than 45,000 meals to the homebound elderly in Central Texas, and was chosen to deliver the Millionth Meal in Austin. Rufus was recognized as one of the 2010 Five Adults Who Care Award by KVUE-TV and the 2010 Volunteer Women on Their Toes Award by the Austin Ballet Guild for his outstanding philanthropy work. Rufus has been active in St. Alban’s Episcopal Community of Hope ministry for many years and volunteered for El Buen Samaritano.
Visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, September 9, at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 2620 S. Congress. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 10, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 11819 IH35 South. Interment will be at 2:45 p.m. at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Meals on Wheels and More of Austin, 3227 E. 5th St., Austin, TX 78702; El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission, 7000 Woodhue Dr., Austin, TX 78745; or St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 368, Manchaca, TX 78652-0368.
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