Kenneth Shaw Woodard was born the only child to Robert
Thomas and Alphria Shaw Woodard on April 21, 1944, in Cleveland,
Ohio. Growing up in a three-family house on Parkwood Drive, Ken
understood the power of family and communication at an early age.
Raised in the Glenville area of Cleveland’s eastside, also known as
the Gold Coast by Black people living in Cleveland at the time. He
attended Parkwood Elementary School, Patrick Henry Junior High
School, and graduated in June 1962 from Glenville High School with a
college preparatory curriculum.
On February 28,1961, Ken met Claudette Johanne Lindsey at a party.
The high school sweethearts were married on June 17, 1967 at Antioch
Baptist Church on a sweltering day in Cleveland. The beautiful union
of Claudette and Ken was founded on love, laughs, and dreams. Not
only were they best friends, but they shared the same birth date of April
21st and the joy of dancing. Later their daughters, Deanna Michelle and
Marcelyn “Marcy” Renee were born to complete their family. Being a
husband and father were one of the many joys of Ken’s thrilling life.
Ken has always had a strong faith and work ethic. He accepted Christ at
an early age at Parkwood Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, then at
age 19, Ken enlisted into the Air Force. While in the Air Force, Ken was
trained as a Water and Waste Processing Specialist to take water from
various sources and treat in order to make it safe for drinking, cooking,
and for running equipment. Later, his permanent duty was stationed at
Mt. Home AFB, Idaho (near Boise) assigned to the 569th Intercontinental
Ballistic Missile Squadron, where he treated water coming up from
artisan wells full of sulfur at about 130 degrees Fahrenheit. With tough
conditions and a crucial water-safety mission, his team was designed
to survive everything except a direct mega ton missile hit. As Ken
professionally thrived in the Air Force he was honorably discharged from
active duty on October 17, 1969, listed as a Civil Engineer.
Ken has always been an ultimate gentleman and man of civility. As he
supported his growing family financially and psychologically, he made
lifelong friends along the way.
His career has including being a machine oiler at TRW, selling cemetery plots, a plumber’s apprentice at Local55, Cleveland City Division of Water licensed filter attendant, installing
air-conditioners for Sears, a real estate agent, government worker at the
Navy Finance Center, VA Hospital clerk and lastly, he retired from the
Ameritech Phone Company (AT&T) in 2009. His many career paths
enriched his knowledge base on so many subjects. There was no topic
that Ken did not know something about. He would have been a big
money contestant on Jeopardy!
Not just hard-working, Ken was a lot of fun. He loved to dance, listen
to music, play cards, and laugh. He never took situations too seriously or
himself. He has taught everyone he knows to be cool and when possible
wear a cool hat, even when life throws you a curveball. August 17, 1973,
was one of many turns in his life when Ken was diagnosed with Guillain Barre` Syndrome,
a serious autoimmune disease. He never let that stop
him from achieving his goals and showing his family how to persevere.
He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning in 1997 from
Cleveland State University at age 53. Relocated his entire life to sunny
Florida, after his wife, Claudette, passed in 2010. His tenacity and zeal
never cease to amaze people.
Determined to live life on his terms in Florida, Ken found a new church
home and friends in The Villages and eagerly embraced new experiences
and adventures. Ken, affectionately called “Papa” or “Uncle Ken” proved
that age is nothing but a number, as he found love a second-time and
married Gerri Burns in 2017 (deceased 2020). Through hurricanes, life
challenges, grief, illness, equipment upgrades and malfunctions, Ken
has tackled all tribulations with a brave and optimistic outlook and a
confident chuckle. His life is a motivation and inspiration to us all.
At age 80, Kenneth peacefully departed this world on a sunny day at his
Villages home surrounded by love as he desired. Additionally, he was
preceded in death by his much younger half-brother Michael Woodard
in 1983.
He leaves to mourn his passing: devoted daughters, Deanna Jarvis (Harold)
and Marcelyn Saxton (Albert); four grandchildren, Lindsey Marie, Harold
Emmanuel, Nadia Renee, and Davon Nashawn; three great-grandchildren,
Zolah Renee, Zariah Avery, and Zaliyah Carol; three God sons, Keith
Sawyer (Sharon), Dwayne Sawyer, Daniel Sawyer (Denovelie) and Preston
Reaze; one Goddaughter Shannan Reaze; special friend and caretaker,
Karen Harrison; and a host of extended family and friends.
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth Woodard, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Lying in Repose
8
Feb
1108 Est Main Street
Leesburg, FL 34748
Funeral Service
8
Feb
1108 Est Main Street
Leesburg, FL 34748
