Posted by Stephen Woods on September 2, 2024:

George Joseph Woods, Jr., devoted husband, beloved father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle, combat veteran, aviator, and retired Army officer died May 21, 2022, at Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg, PA. May 21st served as a fitting day for his passing. It was both Armed Forces Day and Graduation Day for West Points Class of 2022. Born to George and Rose (Ault) Woods, George entered the world August 14, 1931, in his hometown of Philadelphia, PA. He attended Saint Benedicts Elementary School and La Salle College High School before going on to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY in 1956. He earned his masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1973. On December 29, 1956, he married the love of his life and bride of 65 years, Barbara Roach, at Saint Catherine of Sienna Church in Philadelphia. During his 27-year distinguished military career George faithfully served his nation in a variety of locations around the world with Barbara and his children at his side (most of the time). Georges military career began at Fort Benning, GA where he attended Airborne School, Infantry Officer Basic Course, and, again later, the Captain Career Course. Additional assignments included New Braunfels, TX for Primary Flight School, Fort Rucker, AL for Secondary Flight School, Fort Campbell, KY with the 101st Airborne Division, a tour in Korea with the 1st Cavalry Division, Camp Wolters, TX for Helicopter School, Fort Lee, VA assigned in support of the US Army Quartermaster Center and, Alexandria, VA at the Department of State Foreign Service Institute. Promoted to Major while at Cocoli and Fort Clayton, Panama he served with the 937th Engineer Company (Aviation) followed by a tour in Vietnam with the 220th Reconnaissance Airplane Company. Upon his return, the family moved to West Point, NY where George commanded the 2nd Aviation Detachment. Then, in 1969, George moved the family to Fort Leavenworth, KS to be a student and then instructor at The Command and General Staff College until 1973. Fort Dix, NJ, the next assignment in his career, included an assignment to the 3d Basic Combat Training Brigade as executive officer followed by command of its 3d Battalion. He then served as Army Attach, US Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan from 1977-1979, continuing as the Interim Defense Attach following the November 21, 1979, attack and burning of the US embassy- a dark day for which he was recognized for his valor by the US Ambassador to Pakistan. For his final assignment, he served as the Chief, Aviation Division, 1st Army at Fort Meade, MD from which he retired in 1983. Originally an Infantry Officer, George eventually became an Aviation Officer, flying multiple airframes during his career including the Otter, Beaver, and the Beechcraft Army C-12. He held a variety of aviation assignments earning Master Army Aviator wings. He performed pilot in command duties in single and multiengine aircraft, pilot in command of multiengine turboprop, instructor pilot duties in single and multiengine aircraft, and served as chief instructor pilot of instrument training. He also served as a qualified fixed wing instrument flight examiner for twelve years. He performed the duties of pilot in command on many flights involving the transport of high-ranking military and civilian officials. Medals received during his 27 years of service include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal 4th Award, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Battle Stars, and the Presidential Unit Citation (Navy) amongst many other awards, decorations, and citations. Upon his retirement from active duty in 1983, George and his family lived in Boiling Springs, PA where he worked as a financial advisor, then for Clark Aviation Corporation as a charter pilot and training officer and later a chief charter pilot. He then returned to public service with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation, receiving the Secretary's Award for Excellence two times. After his final retirement, George and Barbara built a home in Mechanicsburg where they lived from 2001 until 2017 when they moved to Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg, PA. In these years, George served the St. Joseph"s parish singing alongside Barbara in the choir and leading the parishA-A?A1/2s Legion of Mary, serving as its president for many years. A dedicated Army football fan, he was also a dedicated hometown fan of his beloved Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. His devotion to the Blessed Mother inspired several pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Bosnia, known for the Blessed Mothers appearances. In addition to Barbara of Mechanicsburg, George is survived by his six children: George (Beth Turcott) of Carlisle, PA; Michael of Suffolk, VA; Stephen (Rhonda Limpert) of New Milford, CT; Lisa (Kevin) Dougherty of Philadelphia, PA; Eileen (Tom) Schreiber of Newport, PA; and Matthew (Rebecca Raj) of Chesapeake, VA. His sixteen Grandchildren include Theresa (Kevin) Block; Joseph (Brianna Salinas-Morrison) Woods; Mary (Nicholas) Strobel; Savannah, Connor, and Sierra Woods; Sean and Kaitlin Dougherty; Stephanie Keffer, Megan (Jeff) Carter, Jessica Keffer; Samantha and Sophia Schreiber; Andrew, Declan, and Lauren Woods; and nineteen great-grandchildren: Ethan Block; Collin, Luke, Evan, and Emma Woods; Vivian, Killian, Edith, and Theodora Strobel; Damon and Trinity Schoor; Georgia Porter; Caden and Emersyn Carter; Evelyn Kenee, and Marshall, Aubrielle and Addison Hardesty. George joins his parents and brothers, John, and Eugene, in Heaven and will be greeted, too, by the babies who went straight to Heaven including Joshua, Gabriel, Isaac, and Ava. A public viewing for family and friends was held Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Malpezzi Funeral Home in Mechanicsburg and a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated the following day at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mechanicsburg. Burial with full military honors took place September 16th at West Point Cemetery in West Point, New York, with Father (Col) Matthew Pawlikowski celebrant. As an expression of sympathy memorial contributions in memory of George may be made to the Association of Graduates Memorial Services Program at www.westpointaog.org/givetomemorialsupportfund or Saint Joseph Catholic Church at https://www.wesharegiving.org

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