Harry Woodward Obituary

Harry R. Woodward, Jr., age 89, formerly of Lakewood CO, passed away November 18, 2008 in Germantown, TN. Mr. Woodward was born in Hot Springs SD on November 6, 1919 to Harry R. Woodward, Sr. and Mary (Cleaver) Woodward. He graduated Salutatorian of his high school class in 1937. In 1940, he married Theone Weldon. Harry attended Colorado State University where he was a member of four honorary fraternities and a social fraternity, Sigma Nu. He graduated from Utah State University receiving a Bachelors Degree with honors in wildlife management in 1941. He was called to active duty in the United States Army the day he received his diploma. His unit, the 78th Coast Artillery, Anti-Aircraft, had its 90 mm guns in defensive positions around Los Angeles, CA when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor. He was then assigned to the 214th CA (AA) headed for Guadalcanal. His regiment shot down more Japanese aircraft than any other unit in the Pacific. He was released from active duty in January 1946 as a Major and received the Soldier's Medal for heroism. He served as Director of South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks and in 1955, chose a Black Hills spruce as the National Christmas Tree for President Eisenhower from the state of SD. In 1961, Mr. Woodward became the Director of Colorado Game and Fish. He came to Colorado during a tremendous change. Game and fish abundance and unlimited hunting and fishing had disappeared in the face of exploding human populations. His challenge was to preserve an American wildlife heritage. He accomplished this smoothly with great thought put into reorganization of the department and projects directed toward habitat evaluation or economic species. He accomplished many firsts. Permanent opening dates were given for all hunting seasons, year round fishing was established, and Colorado became a three time winner of the North American Safety Program. In 1963, he was a consultant to the Irish Game Council to help plan a national game management program. He was President of the International Association of Game, Fish and Conservation Commissioners, President of the National Assoc. of State Outdoor Recreational Liaison Officers, President of Midwest Fish and Commissioners and President of the Western Association of State Game and Fish Commissioners. In 1974, after serving the longest of any director in Colorado, Harry accepted a regional position in fund raising for Ducks Unlimited, Inc. He was quickly promoted to Field Operations Supervisor for the Pacific Flyway and moved to Sierra Vista, AZ where he retired in 1985. Here, he was on the Board of Trustees of AZ Nature Conservancy, Chairman of the Advisory Riparian Conservation Area and President of the Research Ranch Foundation which assists the Audubon Society in the management of the Ranch. Survivors include his son, Terry (Jeanine) Woodward, Colorado Springs, CO; daughters, Kaye (Gene) Whitehead, Memphis, TN; and Robin (Jay) Robinson, Jacksonville, FL; five grandchildren, Cindy Whitehead; Lisa Tripp; Doug Whitehead; Sherri Woodward; and Nicole Williams. He also left five great-grandchildren, Haley and Morgan Williams; Alana, Sara, and Keeley Whitehead. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 24, 2008 at the United Churches in Hot Springs SD. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Badger Clark Memorial Society, PO Box 351, Custer, SD 57730 or the Hot Springs High School Scholarship Fund. Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com