Ralph Woodward

Ralph “Duane” Woodward passed away on February 8, 2023, at the age of 91, in Midlothian Texas after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s.

Duane was born April 30, 1931, in Roberts, Idaho, and is the oldest of nine children.  His family moved to Bitterroot Valley, Montana when he was two years old.  It was in the bitter root that he met the love of his life, Lois Nelson. They were married on February 18, 1958, in the Idaho Falls Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Nearly 65 years later, he leaves a legacy of six children, ten grandchildren and two great-grand children…so far.

Duane is survived by his wife Lois, of Midlothian Texas, and his six children, Kristy Johnson of Lancaster Texas, Dee Woodward of Cascade Idaho, Sherry Woodward of Corvallis Montana, Jay Woodward of Smithfield Utah, Steve Woodward of Midlothian Texas and Karla Witt of Corvallis Montana.

Duane is also survived by four sisters, Carol Nutt, Glenda Mohn, Shirleen Foust and Connie Short, all of Hamilton Montana.

Duane is preceded in death by his father, Ralph LaSalle Woodward, his mother, Bessie Adell Atwood, and four brothers, Calvin, Delbert, Merlin, and Martin.

Duane loved the outdoors and was a farmer by trade. In his younger years, he loved taking his kids trout fishing in canyon streams in the Bitterroot.  He was a consummate “tinkerer” and original multi-tasker.  From farm machinery, to automobiles, to irrigation sprinkler nozzles, he spent his time tinkering with things of a mechanical nature.  If you couldn’t find Duane, he was probably on a long walk with his dog, Kavik, or in his tool shed working on something mechanical.

Although not much of a TV watcher, he always enjoyed the evening news and never tired of watching John Wayne movies.

Duane was an Army veteran whose service was cut short by medical limitations that would not allow him to continue to serve safely.

Duane was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and spent Sundays in church with his family.

The world knew him as Duane. The military knew him as Ralph.  We knew him as son, brother, husband, and father.  He has left a void in our world and will always be remembered and loved.