It saddens me to say that long time Shelby owner, SAAC member and my friend, John C D "Woody" Woodruff passed away on Saturday. Woody bravely fought pancreatic cancer for almost 3 years.
Many people on this forum will know Woody as being the original owner of car no. 145, a gray 'redlight' 1967 GT350, and remember him as a frequent member of the GT350 tours. But he was also known for accompanying his best friend Tom Cotter on many of his famous Cobra Tours throughout the United States. It was always easy to spot Woody's car among the pack of original Cobras, acting as a support vehicle for the group.
Woody was a personal hero of mine, and someone I grew strength from as I fought my own battle with cancer. He was one of the toughest individuals I've ever met, living life at full throttle and never complaining about the pain he endured. It didn't stop him from living his life, participating in tours and traveling with his friends and family even though he was on chemotherapy almost every day of his life.
There are so many Woody stories that I could relate, and perhaps some of you would like to share your own memories of him. Most famously, Woody will always be forever linked with Fig Newtons after the 'Grizzly Bear Incident' in Alaska two summers ago, but I would rather relate a more personal memory I have of him.
Last Fall, when I had surgery to remove part of my kidney two days before Thanksgiving, I felt pretty depressed. Upon my release from the hospital, I settled into my house and noticed a card, that I still have, addressed from Woody. It has a picture of the famous Dunlop footbridge at Le Mans on the cover, and inside Woody wrote the following,
"Congratulations, you're now cancer free! Now go out and start thinking about more important things like Shelby's!"
Here was a guy who was looking down the barrel of a much more serious version of cancer, yet he still found the time to sit down and write me. He was truly a class act and he will be missed by many. The Shelby community has lost someone special. The family is planning a private service, please keep him in your prayers.
Warrior is the word that comes to mind.
My wife and I had the pleasure of being on Woody's last rally. Not a complaint, not a peep. The man got out of bed and participated.
I'm fortunate to have known and been touched by him.
His family and friends will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Godspeed Woody! You'll never miss a shift again!!
With respect, sadness and gratitude.
Fred
Woody was a great guy that loved and DROVE his Shelby!
He always was looking to put more miles under him and the car.
Sorry you're not here, but very glad to have meet you.
Brian
Thanks for the wonderful tribute to Woody
We saw him just last month on the GT350 Tour. He seemed tired, but happy to be out and riding around with a bunch of gear heads. He will be missed and I smile every time I see Fig Newtons
Our deepest and sincerest condolences to you , his friends and his family
Very sorry to hear.
Never met the man, but the "Fig Newtons vs The Bear" story is indeed legendary.
Condolences to his family and friends.
I'm very sorry to hear this news. My condolences to his family and friends. I've enjoyed seeing photos of Woody's '67 at numerous east cost events and SAAC conventions. When he repainted his early '67 GT350 it was the first Gray painted car I've seen without the lemans stripes on it. I appreciated that change. Although I don't recall meeting Woody in person, we talked a few times through emails. Sorry to hear of his passing, but happy to know he enjoyed his car to the fullest in all the years he owned it.
It sounds like you guys were so lucky to have had Woody in your life . My condolences to his friends and family.
I certainly wish I could have met him in person. And, it's interesting how you hear stories of people you've never met; yet, you feel like you know them. What a tremendous man and an incredible loss.
Thanks for the update, Brian. Prayers for all his loved ones.
So here a typical Woody Story:
I was at a SAAC convention many years ago and Woody was there with 0145 and for whatever reason I did not have 0078 there. Carroll Shelby was there signing autographs and Woody comes up with the driver's side sun visor for Mr Shelby to sign. He noticed I had nothing to get signed so he goes and gets the original sun visor out of 0145 and gives it to me if I promise to send the passenger side sun visor to him out of 0078. Needless to say I agreed on the spot and Mr Shelby signed the visors, noting the serial numbers on the visors. So today the passenger sun visor from 0078 is in 0145 along with the original signed driver's side sun visor and the original passenger sun visor from 0145 is signed and in 0078...that is one of who knows how many Woody Stories...I was so lucky to be his friend...
H//
Woody was a great guy. I only met him a few times but exchanged hundreds of emails over the years. He was a character and will truly be missed by all. My condolences to his family.
Dave
For years, Woody was a tireless worker for Tom's Woody Party. The "Woody" was supposedly for all the woody station wagons that showed up but I tend to think it was partly for his namesake. Woody was always in attendance at most Mustang or Shelby events we ever attended. He used his car like he used his life...To the fullest. He will be missed. Here he is with my wife Peg just last month. So glad we got to see him.
A service will take place for Woody tomorrow at 2pm in Charlotte. If anyone is interested in attending, please PM me and I'll get you the details. A few of us will be bringing Mustang's and Shelby's to see Woody off. God's speed, my friend.
I am sorry to hear the sad news!!!
This Photo was from 2 weeks ago Woody riding shotgun with John c. on the GT350 tour . Was a great time with him .We shared stories about his 67 and my 68 both from dockery ford . During the 1st gt350 tour woody had a mechanical issue that caused him to spin off the road backwards into a ditch , he and his navigator were very lucky they missed a huge tree stump by less than an inch , that made the difference between walking away and not . Somehow we managed to get car recovered with out making it any worse that day . It took 2 years to repair the car and he was back at the next tour ready to go with a smile on his face . Living the life full throttle right to the end .
Photo was taken by Roger M.
For anyone who may be interested, here is a video of Woody detailing the accident and his car's restoration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T79OGdWe8M&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR0Fln3SuRRO71TV7R7GzKAYzvUCmNxv8hs4iKv9KtCXdb9YRuPTtaIOzPM
Going to miss Woody and his stories of both NJ and Shelby ownership.
Our condolences to his family and friends.
Bill
He was a part of our small email club, and that was a beautiful tribute Brian....very well-written. We should all have such strength and positive attitudes. My deepest sympathy, Nick
Obviously, Woody had a lot of quality friends. Must have been a heck of a good guy.
Nice, heartfelt Tribute Brian. Godspeed Woody.
Great video.
Thanks Woody...
Quote from: BGlover67 on November 18, 2019, 09:58:10 PM
For anyone who may be interested, here is a video of Woody detailing the accident and his car's restoration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T79OGdWe8M&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR0Fln3SuRRO71TV7R7GzKAYzvUCmNxv8hs4iKv9KtCXdb9YRuPTtaIOzPM
The video is pure Woody, thanks for the memories
Woody was in the Winter 2018 Shelby American magazine (see attachments below). I wish I met him. RIP.
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/44-191119105308.jpeg)
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/44-191119105352.jpeg)
Very sorry to hear of Woody's passing. Met him at SAAC 36 when Woody, JD, Henry and I
took some group photos of our "Red Light District" early '67's. So glad to hear that
he enjoyed all the adventures driving his Shelby.
Just got back from Woody's memorial service. A very touching experience. The parking lot looked more like your local cars and coffee than a funeral. I'm sure Woody would have wanted it that way.
https://www.imageshack.us/a/mt8B7/1
Tom Cotter got up and spoke and I don't think there was a dry eye in the place.
Amen to Brian's sentiments but it wasn't really a sad ceremony. Knowing Tom's ability as an author and YouTube personality, we were not disappointed by his ability to tell a great story or two about his best friend. I really don't know how he kept his composure as well as he did. As regrettable the circumstance, events like this bring together friends so it was great reuniting with old track buddies I haven't seen for quite a while. Woody, we'll miss you and, rest assured, every time I see a package of 'em, I'll remember "The Bear, Tom's Cobra and Woody's Fig Newtons"!
I think the service was exactly what Woody would have wanted. If you look at Brian's pictures of Woody's 67 when they were doing the latest restoration he insisted that the stickers on the windshield remain untouched...that says everything about Woody. I don't know if he met his goal of being the original owner of a 67 GT-350 with the most miles on the car but if not I'm pretty sure he was close...Godspeed my good friend...
H//
It's a terrible thing to lose a member of the group but it's a wonderful thing that he is being remembered here in this fashion.
RIP
Woody was an amazing man. Kind, gentle, a fantastic story teller, modest, and really tough, as he suffered in silence during his time battling pancreatic cancer. He made the most of his life to the very end.
Woody helped Tom Cotter and me on our Cobra Tours every year since the first one in 2006. He helped plan routes, doing scouting trips, and he always carried the beer coolers, a critical task, since he had the only car big enough to haul them, he often played scout, driving ahead of the group to acquire parking spots at stops and to scout for problems along the routes.
He added much to my life as a good and faithful friend.
Hi y'all --
I've been trying to find Woody for a couple of years and today remembered he had a GT350 so put in as part of my Google search which brought me here. Almost wish it didn't.
Woody and I served in an Ohio Army National Guard armored cavalry regiment together before his job took him to NC. During this time he sent the green painted GT350 back to some place in Pennsylvania to be restored using his Guard checks to pay for it. He apparently used several gallons of engine oil when he brought the car out to Ohio from NJ and didn't risk driving it to PA for the work so it was picked up by a closed auto-carrier full of restored classic cars.
Just wanted to let you know Woody is missed outside of the Shelby world.
-- Chuck
Quote from: Chuck S on January 26, 2023, 04:14:57 PM
Hi y'all --
I've been trying to find Woody for a couple of years and today remembered he had a GT350 so put in as part of my Google search which brought me here. Almost wish it didn't.
Woody and I served in an Ohio Army National Guard armored cavalry regiment together before his job took him to NC. During this time he sent the green painted GT350 back to some place in Pennsylvania to be restored using his Guard checks to pay for it. He apparently used several gallons of engine oil when he brought the car out to Ohio from NJ and didn't risk driving it to PA for the work so it was picked up by a closed auto-carrier full of restored classic cars.
Just wanted to let you know Woody is missed outside of the Shelby world.
-- Chuck
No doubt Chuck. I was thinking of Woody just the other day as I thought about something I wanted to share with him. He truly loved life to the fullest. I really hope I see him again someday, only hopefully not too soon.
Brian