Woodrow “Woody” Smith Aug. 13, 1941 – Sept. 19, 2022

      Woodrow "Woody" Leroy Smith was called home on Sept. 19, 2022, at age 81. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at a care center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Funeral Services took place on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids.

    Woody was born to Guy and Claudine (Sapp) Smith on Aug. 13, 1941, in Quincy, Ill.  His family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho and eventually to Galesburg, Ill., where he completed his education. He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1960. He met his future wife Sally Hand while on a high school field trip. They knew then it was meant to be. They married on Dec. 3, 1960. The couple had three daughters and in 1977 moved to Monticello, Iowa. They lived there until 1990, then he and Sally moved to Wisconsin. They returned to Iowa in 2000.

    Woody's chosen profession as a Meat Department Manager began at age 16 and continued until his retirement at age 62. Woody was a hard worker his whole life, no matter what he was doing, and was very dedicated to his job. He had a good sense of humor and a little bit of an ornery streak at times. In his 30s he developed an interest in golf and joined the Monticello Country Club. He was persuasive in influencing some family members to take it up as well, leading to many happy memories on the golf course. He absolutely loved dogs and had them throughout most of his life. He passed down that love and compassion for animals to his children. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball fan, and a huge Green Bay Packer fan. 

    Woody is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sally of Marion; daughters, Lori (Jim) Cooper of Eufaula,  Ala., and Tracy Smith (Dean Zirbel) of Cedar Rapids; brother, Guy Smith of Menomonee Falls, Wis.; sisters, Shirley Henel of Kansas City, Mo., Sherry Leahy of Cedar Rapids, and Donna Caldwell of Augusta, Ga.; half-sisters, Linda Hufeld of Eldon, Mo., Debbie Davis, Sue Radeke, and their mother, Carol Smith, all of Abingdon, Ill.; six grandchildren, Nicole (Justin) Gerdes, Jessica (Joe) Manternach, Spencer (Maria) Chapman, Amber Chapman, Jay Cooper, and Josh Cooper; nine great-grandchildren, Gavin and Griffin Gerdes, Maci, Marleigh, Mila Manternach, Harper and Willow Chapman, and Kaiya and Kinsleigh Chapman; and many nieces and nephews as well.

    He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jean; daughter, Cindy; in-laws, Leroy and Bessie Hand; and brother-in-law, Terry Hand. 

    In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Alzheimer's Association, any Humane Society, ASPCA, or local animal shelter is appreciated.

    Please share a memory of Woody at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.