MSGT (Ret.) Richard "Rich" Lamar Woodard

MSGT (Ret.) Richard “Rich” Lamar Woodard, 69, of Oglethorpe, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.  A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2019 at Watson-Giddens Funeral Home, Ellaville from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.  A celebration of life will be held on Monday, September 23, 2019 at 12:00 PM in the chapel of Watson-Giddens Funeral Home with Rev. Curtis Kirksey officiating with burial and full military honors to follow in Andersonville National Cemetery at 2:00 PM. 

            MSGT Woodard was born on August 26, 1950 to Joyce Lafayette Woodard and Sue Medley Cox. He served over 20 years in the United States Marine Corps and the United States Air Force, before he retired in 1992 at the rank of Master Sergeant. Rich was an avid football fan and loved to watch the University of Georgia Bulldogs.  He also enjoyed watching Fox News when he could.   Most of all, he loved his family dearly, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Rich loved listening to classic Rock and Roll and country music.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Woodard; two sisters, Annette Smith and Donnette Woodard; and two brothers, Marvin Woodard and Ron Woodard.

            Survivors include his daughter, Nancy Tramel and her husband, Adam of Oglethorpe; two brothers, Jimmy Cox and Paul Cox, Jr. and his wife, Berta, all of Oglethorpe; two sisters, Linda Williams of Riverview, FL and Brenda Northern of Tybee Island, GA; three grandchildren, Danielle Turner (Kalon), Kristian Rigby (Tyler), and Taylor Maxwell (Miles); five great-grandchildren, Ava Turner, Lennox Turner, Phinley Rigby, Elijah Turner, and Oliver Maxwell; and numerous nieces and nephews.