The Life of HUGH ERNEST WOODY
Hugh Ernest Woody was surrounded by family when he peacefully passed from this life and into the arms of Jesus on Monday, July 30, 2012.
Hugh was born to Milton and Doris Woody in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 28, 1927. He graduated from East High School in June 1946, and studied Pharmacy at Drake University, graduating with a B.S. in 1952. During the years he spent earning his degree, Hugh exchanged wedding vows with the love of his life, Donna Comegys, and also welcomed his first son, Steve Woody. Following graduation from Drake, Hugh took the position as Pharmacist at the Don Johnson Pharmacy in Des Moines. During his years at the Pharmacy, he and Donna welcomed their second son, Matt Woody, in 1955. In 1968, Hugh accepted the position of Assistant Director of Pharmacy at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. He retired from his pharmacy career in 1990.
As a father, Hugh not only served his own family, but served his community by volunteering as Highland Park Little League coach and manager. He also served as a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America, and earned several awards during his time as Scout Master, such as the Silver Beaver Award and the Lamb Award to name a couple. He did countless good deeds to help his community, such as donating blood regularly and helping sandbag during the floods of 1993. Hugh served his local church by wearing many hats, including but not limited to singing in the church choir, serving as a Sunday School teacher, and acting as President of the Social Action Committee Council. Serving God by serving his church brought him much joy. Hugh took pride in serving his country during WWII as a U.S. Merchant Marine. He saw the value of serving God, his family, his community, and his country, and his life is proof of that.
Hugh will not only be remembered for his service to his family, church, community, and country, but for his hobbies and life's enjoyments as well. He was passionate about photography, taking and developing many of his own photos at home, and entering photos at the Iowa State Fair Photography Competition. Hugh dabbled in music, enjoying singing, and playing the banjo and the harmonica as a way to musically express himself. While he loved being outdoors in general, he particularly enjoyed camping, bicycling and fishing. He of course took the time to pass many of these loved past-times onto his kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Counted among the many who loved and will continue to cherish Hugh are the surviving members of his family: his wife Donna Woody; sons Steve (Karen) Woody and Matt (Lynn) Woody; grandchildren Jesse Woody, Erin (Jeff) Schirm, Elisabeth (Jay) Dempsey, and Alexa (Paul) Lemon; great-grandchildren Lilah Dempsey and Arlie Schirm; and siblings, Ken (Zelma) Woody and Rose Herselius. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Woody.
Hugh's memory will be treasured in our hearts as a man who set an example by serving God and others, as well as living life to the fullest. While we will dearly miss him, we are grateful for the joy he is experiencing in Heaven.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, August 1, 2012, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines. Funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 2, 2012, at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, 511 Des Moines Street, followed by burial at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Building Fund at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church.>>