George A Woodward

George Allan Woodward was born September 22, 1927 in Milwaukee, WI to George and Beulah (Beck) Woodward. He lived in Buhl, Idaho during his early years and then was raised by his grandparents, George Washington Woodward and Christina “Tina” Grim in Conrath, Wisconsin. At age 17, George entered the Navy's V-5 Naval Aviation Cadet Program just before the end of WWII. He served through the first two years of the Korean War, flying patrol squadrons out of Kodiak Alaska and Okinawa, Japan. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

George became a Christian during his flight training through his friendship with five other young men in his squadron and dedicated his life to missionary work in 1954. He attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago before joining Wycliffe Bible Translators to serve as a pilot in Peru.

During his time in Chicago, George met and fell in love with Phyllis Brown. They married in 1958 and were a dynamic couple all the years of their married lives. George enjoyed making Phyllis' creative plans happen, and he doted on her and cared for her faithfully in her later years. They had three children who greatly appreciated their unique childhood in Yarinacocha, Peru.

The Woodwards served wholeheartedly in Peru for 35 years. George was well known in the jungle as a pilot, mechanic, navigator and mapmaker. He then served in community development, bringing mechanical and literacy training to remote communities. Along with Phyllis, he hosted and helped manage the Lima Guest House for the last six years of their time in Peru.

George and Phyllis retired to Waxhaw, North Carolina in 1992 where they continued to volunteer and provide a hub of hospitality to many until they moved to Tahlequah, Oklahoma in 2007. There they became enthusiastic members of the Go Ye Village retirement community.

George’s life joined his two great passions: flying and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the world through practical service and supporting Bible Translators. He will be remembered for his kindness and patience. He wanted people to feel included and valued, and he made that happen at all levels of society. He was just himself, whether he was on the cover of a National Geographic book or eating off banana leaves in a thatched jungle house. He lived an amazing life without ever thinking he was special or unusual. We will miss him.

George was survived by his three children: George Tomas “Tom” (Beverley) Woodward of Duncanville, TX, Lois (Bryan) Varenkamp of Duncanville, TX, and Donald “Don”* (Joan) Schrock-Woodward of North Newton, KS, as well as seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Woodward (2024), and his brother, Carl Woodward of Menomonee Falls, WI (2022).

*The family acknowledges with sadness the passing of his son, Don, just five days after George’s death. We are comforted by our faith that they are now reunited in glory with Jesus.

There will be a memorial service on December 18, at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel of Go Ye Village, 1201 W Fourth Street, Tahlequah, OK 74464.

At 2:30 p.m. the same day, there will be an interment service at Fort Gibson National Cemetery.

If you would like to read more about George, see a fuller obituary click the link below:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vhFZykEk6iEuUvYZPquHGXobRlLVq6AdDRc4nNxavGQ/edit?tab=t.0

For those who were unable to attend, we invite you to share in remembering George's life with us:

Link to George Woodward's Memorial Service https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nxyuf8bhdtdylkd37kr4k/George-Allan-Woodward-Memorial-Service-2024-12-18.mp4?rlkey=y6aje8gbh74fwycbespgfrsb4&e=1&st=t695fr6b&dl=0

Link to "Dad's Story" https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/itbrsg3h0248noeq850c5/Dad-s-Story.mp4?rlkey=vpbamkmunnh45wf4xr6mrxurh&e=1&st=pkjak7vy&dl=0