Phil D. Woodruff, Jr., age 85, passed away on Thursday, the 12th of September 2013 after a long illness. A native Houstonian, Phil was born to Judge Phil D. Woodruff, Sr. and Mildred Shearon Woodruff. He grew up in a much different Houston than we know today. He enjoyed telling stories from his youth about having soda water and fireworks stands and delivering the early morning newspaper on weekends. He often recounted how his grandfather would round up herds of wild horses in New Mexico and drive them to Houston to be sold.
He attended Lamar High School and graduated from Allen Military Academy. He served in the US Marine Corp in China and fought with the Chiang Kai-Shek anti-Communist forces. After military service he attended the University of Texas earning a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and President of the Young Engineers Society. Phil joined General Electric after graduating and stayed with GE for over 30 years. His career included Hydro Electric Generation Units and locomotives and projects like Laurel Pipeline in Pennsylvania and Falcon Dam in Texas.
Phil met his future bride in Erie, Pennsylvania at a church reception for young GE engineers. They married in 1953 and moved to Schenectady, New York. Later starting their family of three sons, Dan, born in New York state, Tom and JD, born in Texas.
Phil was an avid handball player and was a life member at the downtown YMCA. He enjoyed the outdoors, including hunting with his father, jogging and spending time at his bay house. He earned his private pilot license in 1974 and enjoyed many hours in his beloved Grumman airplane. He was a longtime member of St. Luke’s Methodist Church where he taught weekly Bible study class. He served on the Board of Trustees at Liberty Savings and Loan and held many civic positions as the city grew.
Phil leaves his wife of 60 years, Marilyn; three sons, Dan, Tom and JD; his sister, Mary Ellen Sheridan; six grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Golden.
His quick wit and pleasant smile will be missed. He lived a long and bountiful life and has gone to be with his Lord and Savior.
The memorial service is to be conducted at half-past ten o’clock in the morning, on Saturday, the 26th of October, in the memorial garden of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Rev. Bill Denham, Pastor of Caring Ministries, is to officiate.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Hines Baker Room.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Phil’s memory may be directed to the charity of one’s choice.
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