Woody Grant Cary

Born in Ottumwa, Iowa, on March 14, 1946, Woody Cary spent his childhood bouncing between the family farm and moving with his parents between naval bases, from Virginia to Panama, before finally settling in California.

Woody was a lifelong sports fan from his years as a multi-hyphenate high school athlete, collegiate baseball player and coach for his children’s Little League and soccer teams. His life stretched beyond sports uniforms to Service Dress Whites beginning at Navy officer training, and included stints costumed as a birthday clown, Easter Bunny, and, on several occasions, Santa Claus.

Woody embarked on a business career in property management, culminating in running his own 100+ person company in the hospitality and development sector in, at first, Orange County, California, before heading to Las Vegas. Woody was a pioneer and visionary as an executive and business owner. He mentored countless others throughout his professional career, so those employees and their family members could have a life-long possibility of employment and stability into retirement. Woody acted selflessly and sacrificed his personal goals, at times, to help others in need.

He is survived by his brother, son, daughter and grandson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your local animal charity or San Diego Humane Society to honor Woody’s passion and love for animals.

Woody kept copies of the following section of a 19th-century poem that he would send with condolence cards, and we’re sure he would want us to share it with you at this time:

Miss Me --- But, Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room,

Why cry for a soul set free.

Miss me a little, but not too long,

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that we once shared,

Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take,

And each must go alone.

It's all a part of the Master's plan,

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart,

Go to the friends we know,

And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,

Miss me, but let me go.

Woody will be Missed for his kindness, generous heart, friendly demeanor, smile, patience, determination, and positive attitude when interacting with others.

Please arrive by 10:20 am. The service starts promptly at 10:30 am with a presentation of military honors by the U. S. Navy.