James Larry Woodard

James Larry Woodard, 71, passed away from a heart condition July 4, 2016, after a long, valiant effort to recover. Larry was devoted to his family and his friends and was respected by all who knew him. He was one of a kind, truly a good man and he will be greatly missed. Larry was preceded in death by his mother, Elna Gertrude Jones, his father, Charles Eason Woodard, Sr., and his grandmother, Maude Mae Bryan. Born March 16, 1945, a lifelong native of the Tampa Bay area, Larry attended King High School. He worked for Sears for many years and then for many more years he worked for the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services with delinquent and troubled teens in the Detention Center. Larry proudly served in the United States Naval Reserve during the Viet Nam war as a Sea Bee in the Construction Battalion. Larry was an avid golfer and a consummate handy man. He could design, create and build anything you could dream up, and could repair anything that needed fixing. When he wasn’t working on his golf game he was off somewhere helping someone, friend, relative or stranger build or fix something, and always with his unique sense of humor. There is no doubt that more than anything else Larry’s greatest passion was his family, daughter Jodi Lynn, grandchildren Staci and Kevin (Megan), his precious great grandson, Jace; his three sisters, Marty Croteau, Janet Woodard, Audrey Legg (Raymond), one brother J.R. Woodard; his dear friend, Shawn Randall; and his beloved furry companion, Elvis P. Woodard. Larry is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. His legacy to his family is that he was so loved and respected. No public service is being planned at this time, so please remember him with a good deed for someone who needs a hand, a smile, encouragement or just a friendly hello.