John passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in the afternoon on August 21, 2014.
John was born May 21, 1939 in Sturgis, Michigan to Bela Roosevelt and Margaret Orva (Eaton) Woodworth. Growing up he played basketball and baseball and also played the drums in high school.
John attended Michigan Technical University before joining the US Army in 1958. He served with a specialty in Construction Drafting and received an honorable discharge in 1961. After his service John attended the Carpenter’s Apprenticeship in Pomona California from 1961-65 and graduated at the top of his class achieving the highest score ever recorded at that time.
John knew from the time he was 16 and worked for a family friend, that he wanted to be a carpenter. He loved his work and worked hard to excel and learn from each job. He was Carpenter Foreman with numerous construction firms and even designed and supervised building the first tip-out room to be used in the travel trailer industry. John’s local catalog of work includes parts of the Skagit County Courthouse, over 30 custom homes, and various small commercial buildings.
He lived and worked in California after his apprenticeship before moving with his family to Washington in 1968, and then to Concrete in 1969. Here they raised chickens, geese, pheasants, peacocks, cows, horses, dogs and cats. He loved growing a large garden, enjoyed farming, and was active in his children’s activities.
In 1981 John went to work as a carpenter for Seattle City Light in Newhalem where he met his wife Kathleen. She fell in love with his classic western charisma, and he was mesmerized by her stunning free spirit. They were married in 1989 and had one son, Adam.
He served as an active member of the School Board for the Concrete School District from 1994-99 and was Board Chairman from 1996-98. John was also a member of the Concrete Lions Booster Club.
Retired in 2008, he loved spending his time outdoors fishing, tending to his Christmas tree farm, and cruising around on his tractor. He loved watching his grandchildren playing sports and shooting the breeze with his neighbors. He was the go to guy when you needed a hand and he spent as much time plowing the neighbor’s driveways, fixing the community water system, or helping a friend with a remodel as he did at home.
He was a great story teller and he loved a good joke. His favorite stories were those with his kids, like the time he drove up steep inclines in the California Sunland Tujunga hills with all four kids screaming and holding on for dear life in their Jeep, all to see the best display ever of the 4th of July fireworks, and when Mickey hugged him so hard she broke his rib, or when he helped Adam catch a 40 pound King salmon off Seiku.
John was a man with a wonderful sense of humor, strong opinions and a deep love of family. He loved to talk, and no one held court like he did. When he had something to say, he made you listen, and you always took his words to heart whether you agreed or not. He was our anchor and our center. He was our true North.
John is preceded in death by his parents and sister Rachael Jane Woodworth, and grandson Christopher Zitkovich. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Kathleen Woodworth, sons Troy, Bobby (Donna), and Adam (Stephanie), daughters Tami (Rick) Green and Mickey (John) Zitkovich, and grandchildren Ben and Brian Steimle, Jonathan (Kelli) and David (Amber) Woodworth, Jessica (Josh) Massingale, Rochelle Martin, and Kayla and Keegun Zitkovich, Ben and Becka Johnson, and future grandson Woodworth, and numerous Great Grandchildren
There will a Celebration of Life potluck held at the CCD Center, 45590 Limestone Street, Concrete September 6th at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to UW Medical Advancement, Box 358045 Seattle, WA 98195-8045
“See ya a while ago.”
What a fantastic neighbor, I will look out my window at the first snow to see you plowing the drive as if it is your duty. What a guy, in numerous ways. All of us in Sauk City counted on you for direction and help with all of our projects and a laugh. May they have John Deer Tractors where you are!!
John will be greatly missed. He was a mentor to me, a friend and for a time a neighbor. He was the photographer at our wedding, and a dear and close friend. We both knew of we ever needed something, we were each only a phone call away. Kathleen, keep your chin up and know we are only that same phone call away!
John was a wonderful man, co-worker and friend. I sit and try to think of all the good times we shared, all of the stories we told, all the things we were able to do over the years, what a man. We knew each other for almost 40 years, so a lot of water went under that bridge and a lot of dust settled during the time we spent together. John and I not only worked together for a long time, we were good friends for even longer, Thanks John for all of those years. I know one thing for sure, I will never see a chocolate cake without thinking of you.`
Hi Dad. It’s Friday. You’ve been gone a whole week now but it feels like just yesterday I was holding your hand. Last week was the most time we’ve ever spent together at one time and even though the circumstances were what they were, I love that I got to feel just how much I love you. Never got the chance to thank you for coming into our lives but I hope you will know how much of you has made us kids who we are today. The people here at work have been so thoughtful with kind blessings and healing words. You met some of them one time. I had forgotten you braved the City that day until some of them shared with me how they remembered you that day. It will be like yesterday for me for while Dad and soon the sadness and hurt in my heart will lessen. I thank God everyday for you and I thank you for being my Dad. xxoo
RIP always loved morning coffee with him Len Patterson and my mother at the donut shop we had in concrete. Miss you all. My Sympathy to your family.
Your in our thoughts and prayers,
Our hearts go out to you all at the loss of a great man.
R I P John thanks for all the wonderful memories I have and pulling me or should I say dragging me behind your boat so I could learn to water ski years ago.
I will keep all the family and friends in my thoughts and prayers!
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Rest in Peace Dad, You will be missed. thank you for being my dad and teaching me all you have taught me in life. I did take notes dad. I will always love you and will miss you even more. Have some fun with Uncle Bob.