Thomas Roger Woodley

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Mary Woodley on April 2, 2009:

This eulogy was given by his priest, Monsignor Merdian, at Dad's funeral. I'd like to begin with a little story that I think relates to Tom and his military days. Stonewall Jackson was one of the most capable and courageous commanders the US ever had. He was also an outstanding Christian. At the first battle of Bull Run, he received a wound in his hand. The injury became serious. Another general, Imboden by name, relates a visit he paid to General Jackson at that time: "On hearing that he was suffering from the injury in his hand I rode to his quarters. Although it was barely sunrise, he was under the tree, bathing his hand in spring water. It was swollen and very painful. As we ate breakfast at the table, the battle was the only topic discussed. General Imboden remarked, "General, how is it that you can keep so cool, and appear so utterly insensible to danger in a storm of shell and bullets as rained about you when your hand was hit?" "He instantly became grave and reverential in manner, and replied firmly: "Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel safe on the field of battle as in bed. Almighty God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me." He then looked his visitor in the face and added: "That is the way all men should live, and then all men would be equally brave." Tom Woodley was that brave soldier who was confident of the Lord's presence and who was ready to meet the Lord. I'm sure Col. Woodley had that same peacefulness that General Jackson spoke about. That peacefulness and calmness and trust in God started in Detroit in 1926. Tom grew up in a loving Catholic family. After enlisting in the Army at the age of 17, he spent the rest of his years in the military. Like many intelligent men who entered, Tom was sent off to school to study engineering. After being commissioned, he spent the next 30 years of his life serving the military. His life revolved around the military and therefore, so did his family. Eventually the day after graduating from West Point, he married Patricia or Pat, the love of his life. In military terms, she was his OAO, one and only. When Tom was courting Pat and getting ready to be shipped off, the famous "I'll write" line came out! But Tom being a man of his word did just that. He wrote every day to Pat in green ink, explaining that he was Irish. Near the end of his brilliant career in the military, they wanted to send Col. Woodley overseas without his wife and his family, a commission that would have awarded him a star, the star of a general. But Col. Tom knew he had a greater duty, and that was finally to be home with his wife and children. After retiring from the military, Tom and Pat returned to Champaign where they had many happy years. With all their beautiful children, Col Woodley finally enjoyed the civil life. After completing his PhD, he taught many impressionable young minds. Tom was so well loved by his students that he was voted most favorite professor. Tom Woodley, as you probably all know, had three devotions in life; The Church, the Military, and His Wife. Tom became immediately involved at St Matthew. He was an usher, server with his kids, and extraordinary minister of the Holy Eucharist. Tom tried the choir at West Point but was told by the director to "just mouth the words". Tom thought it an honor to help the Church and it was edifying for him and for so many who knew him. Tom and Pat also coordinated RCIA for over 10 years. They did a fantastic job and people still comment to me how much they enjoyed having Pat and Tom lead them in RCIA. As you all know, Tom loved to read. In fact he devoured books. He loved military history and autobiographies and he also loved the history of the Church and biographies of the saints. Tom and Pat were daily Mass goers. They would be at Church bright and early for Morning Prayer and Rosary every morning. When I returned to St Matthew in 2003, I asked dutiful Tom if he would help me by opening the Church in the morning. As usual, Tom the consummate gentleman, who wanted to serve and help, took this duty seriously. As a dutiful soldier for the Lord, Tom was honored and performed this duty faithfully until one day he told me he needed to pass it on to someone else. Tom Woodley was a man of great strength, strength of character, strength of will and strength of God. He was totally devoted, all or none. He was responsible, honest, filled with integrity. He was a gentleman who loved life, his God, his wife and his children. He was the great encourager for all his children. Like General Jackson, Tom knew how to fight to the end, but this battle was not his to win. Tom too was ready to meet the Lord. He and Pat faithfully received the Sacraments on a regular basis, had a deep love for the Lord through prayer and lived it in their daily lives with others. Tom firmly believed in the promise of Jesus to Him in new life. So we know that Tom is not dead, but alive in Christ Jesus. We are not here to search among the dead. Tom is alive in Christ Jesus. Being in the military, Col Woodley knew the reality of death. But he also knew that death holds no power over a believer in Christ. This morning we pray for Tom Woodley, that he will now share that peace and love in Christ in the glory of heaven.

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