Obituary for James Woodard

On August 1st, 2015 James D. Woodard passed away after a long series of illnesses.

Born to Rube (Robert) and Pauline Woodard on February 16, 1935 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. After the family moved several times, they settled in Fort Sumner, New Mexico in 1945. He graduated from Fort Sumner High School in 1953 where he lettered as quarterback on the football team. After high school, he received his Bachelors of Arts in Business and Economics at Eastern New Mexico University. Upon completing his degree in 1958, Jim started his career in the oil business with Chevron Oil Company in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In 1959 he met Saraellen Lessert and in 1960 they were married. In 1961, their first son, James II, was born in Lubbock, Texas. In 1964, their second son, John, was born in Abilene, Texas. The Woodard family moved to Denver, Houston, and San Francisco where in 1978, Jim left Chevron to be a partner in an independent oil company in Denver. In 1988, Jim and Saraellen moved to Fairfield, California where he helped manage a road oils company. After Jim’s retirement in 2003, the two moved to Midwest City, Oklahoma where he enjoyed his family, friends, and football.

He is survived by Saraellen Lessert Woodard, his wife of 55 years; his son, James II and wife Monica Hays Woodard of Castle Rock, Colorado; his grandchildren, James III, of Twentynine Palms, California, Nicole of Greeley, Colorado; his youngest son, John of Midwest City, Oklahoma, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, William, Paul and Robert.

Funeral services for James will be 2:00 p.m on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at Trout Funeral Home Chapel with a graveside to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery. Reverend Pam Normile will be officiating the services.

Source: Trout Funeral Home