Donald Woodcock

Donald Woodcock, 75, Washington, died Friday, May 15, 2020 at the Washington County Hospital, Washington. Visitation will be Thursday, May 21 from Noon until 8 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home, Washington. A private funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 22, 2020 at the Washington Christian Church, Washington. A public burial will be at the Washington City Cemetery after the service. Don was born on July 14, 1944, to Walter and Wilma (Wineinger) Woodcock in Linn, Kansas, and grew up on the family farm southwest of Washington. He graduated from Linn Rural High School in 1962. For two years he worked for Washington County before attending McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas. Don achieved his Bachelor of Science in industrial arts education while playing football, basketball, and golf for the Bulldogs. His greatest achievement at McPherson was winning the heart of Lynda Beavers. Don graduated in the spring of 1968, and he and Lynda were married August 3rd, 1968, at Bethel Church of the Brethren in Carleton, Nebraska. His second greatest achievement was the gift of four children he and Lynda raised and who blessed them with ten amazing grandchildren. Don began his teaching and coaching career in Halstead, Kansas. He moved on to Seneca, where he taught and coached, and then to Marysville, where he was the assistant principal and athletic director. Don and Lynda moved to Carleton, Nebraska, in 1981, where Lynda taught and Don worked on the Beavers family farm and dairy. After his father’s death in 1983, Don moved the family to Washington, Kansas, in 1984, so he could take over the family farm. Don was called back to education in 1992 to North Central High School in Morrowville, Kansas, as the industrial arts teacher. He enjoyed his work there until the school consolidated with Washington, and he retired from teaching in 2006. He continued farming and ranching for several more years. Over the years, Don was willing to help the community in whatever way he could. He was very proud of his time on the Independence Farms School of Therapeutic Riding Board. He was also active as an elder at the Washington Christian Church, and over the last year, an integral part of the construction of the new church building. His meticulous work on the trim, doors, and woodwork can already be seen when walking into the building, and Don’s statement of “it gives me a sense of purpose” has been uplifting to his family knowing what he had to overcome with his illness in 2019. Throughout all the years, Don was a dedicated father, actively involved in his children’s school and athletic activities. This support continued with his grandkids as he and Lynda followed them whenever they could. Don enjoyed playing golf, following Washington Tiger athletics, and was an avid Kansas State football fan, spending Saturdays in Manhattan watching “The Cats.” He instilled this love of sports in all his children and grandchildren. Preceding Don in death were his parents and his infant sister, Louiza. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lynda, and by his children and grandchildren: Timothy (Amy) Woodcock, Ethan, Emily, and Noah Woodcock of Fredonia, Kansas; Anthony (Lori) Woodcock, Carter and Caleah Woodcock of Ames, Iowa; Trent (Shanna) Woodcock, Ben, Levi, and Sam Woodcock, Hutchinson, Kansas; Staci (Schuyler) Peters, Jordy and Jessa Peters of Washington, Kansas. Don is survived by a brother, Robert (Mary) Woodcock of Burlington, Kentucky. He is also survived by his uncle, Carl (June) Wineinger; Lynda’s parents, Gardie and Betty Beavers; sisters and brothers-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial fund is established to the Washington Christian Church Building Fund. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, Washington. Graveside committal for Don Woodcock To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Woodcock, please visit our flower store.