Robert Lee Woodward

Bob Woodward was born in Louisville, Kentucky on May 12, 1928, the son of Fuller and Gladys Bartels Woodward. He attended Louisville Male High School before being recruited to play basketball at Southwest Mississippi Junior College, Summit, MS. He played quarterback in football; shortstop in baseball, batting in the 400’s and 500’s in addition to basketball. He was Captain or Co-Captain his sophomore year in all three sports. In 1985, he was selected for the Sports Hall of Fame at Southwest.

He graduated from Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education while on a basketball scholarship. He completed his Master’s degree at the University of Alabama in 1965 and became a member of the Kappa Delta Phi Honor Society.

He started his coaching career in Amory, MS, as head basketball and baseball coach, assisting in football. After three years he moved to Meridian High School/Junior College, where he was head basketball and assistant football coach. After his first years he also became the head baseball coach. His basketball record was 149 wins-34 losses (5 years), baseball record was 95 wins-34 losses for 4 years.

After five years in Meridian, he went to Harrison, Ohio, where he turned around a basketball program from 0 wins to a record 14 wins-10 losses.

In 1967, he became basketball coach at Brunswick Junior College, where he taught and coached for nine years. He sent nineteen players to senior colleges on basketball scholarships. He was selected “Coach of the Year” in 1969-70.

Leaving the education and coaching field, he began an insurance career with Coaches Insurance Association of American, a division of American Life Insurance Company (at that time), Memphis, TN. He remained in insurance until he retired, continuing to help clients when they had questions.

Other than his love for college sports, Bob had a great fondness for the sun and spent many hours on the beach. He made many donations to organizations that helped animals, particularly dogs.

Coach Woodward is survived locally by his wife, of 55 years, Shirley Woodward.

Memorial Services will be held at 4 PM on Saturday, December 31, 2011, in the Chapel of the Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home with Rev. Jimmy Crandall, Dr. Peter Vivenzio and Dr. James Wigton officiating.

The family request in lieu of flowers, contributations to the: Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia, Inc, 4627 Highway 17 N., Brunswick, GA 31525.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.