Larry "Woody" Wooldridge
March 24, 1930 ~ February 14, 2023
Major Larry “Woody” Wooldridge passed away peacefully on February 14, 2023, in McLean, Virginia. He was born in Pittsburg, PA in March 1939 to parents Frank and Helen.
After attending High School in Spartansburg, PA, Woody entered the U.S. Marine Corps, he graduated from Penn State University with a BS in Electrical Engineering. Knowing from an early age that his dream was to be a jet pilot, he then proceeded into the Marine Corps Officers Candidate School in Quantico, VA and subsequent flight school at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL.
Woody had an active career in the Marine Corps for more than 20 years, serving various missions in Vietnam with the ground Korean Marines and various fighter squadrons deployed from Atlantic Feet aircraft carriers and with various accommodations including the Bronze, Silver, Gold Stars and a Purple Heart. Subsequent shore duty included Flight instructor at NAS Corpus Christi, TX, as well as management positions at MC Headquarters in Arlington, VA.
Woody was a lifetime learner. After he retired from the Marines, he earned his MBA at the University of West Florida and a MS in Information Systems at George Mason University. He enjoyed subsequent engineering career positions with Sperry/Unisys Corp., contributing to design of simulators and the cockpit layout for the F-18 fighter. Later he enjoyed a career as a successful real estate agent. All the while, he was an active member in the Civil Air Patrol and a private flight instructor at various bases in the Washington Metro Area.
Woody was predeceased by both his parents, two brothers, Donald & Fred, his foster father Willard, and his son, Steven. He is survived by his first wife, Patricia, four children from their marriage; and now widowed wife, Carmen; 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by loving members of his foster family including Betty, six foster siblings, and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will take place at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 4 at Money & King funeral home, 171 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA 22180.
Memorial donations are requested to be made to Wounded Warriors Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.
After attending High School in Spartansburg, PA, Woody entered the U.S. Marine Corps, he graduated from Penn State University with a BS in Electrical Engineering. Knowing from an early age that his dream was to be a jet pilot, he then proceeded into the Marine Corps Officers Candidate School in Quantico, VA and subsequent flight school at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL.
Woody had an active career in the Marine Corps for more than 20 years, serving various missions in Vietnam with the ground Korean Marines and various fighter squadrons deployed from Atlantic Feet aircraft carriers and with various accommodations including the Bronze, Silver, Gold Stars and a Purple Heart. Subsequent shore duty included Flight instructor at NAS Corpus Christi, TX, as well as management positions at MC Headquarters in Arlington, VA.
Woody was a lifetime learner. After he retired from the Marines, he earned his MBA at the University of West Florida and a MS in Information Systems at George Mason University. He enjoyed subsequent engineering career positions with Sperry/Unisys Corp., contributing to design of simulators and the cockpit layout for the F-18 fighter. Later he enjoyed a career as a successful real estate agent. All the while, he was an active member in the Civil Air Patrol and a private flight instructor at various bases in the Washington Metro Area.
Woody was predeceased by both his parents, two brothers, Donald & Fred, his foster father Willard, and his son, Steven. He is survived by his first wife, Patricia, four children from their marriage; and now widowed wife, Carmen; 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by loving members of his foster family including Betty, six foster siblings, and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will take place at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 4 at Money & King funeral home, 171 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA 22180.
Memorial donations are requested to be made to Wounded Warriors Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.
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Woody and I were classmates in Electrical Engineering at Penn State. As I recall, we met as lab partners for Physics in Osmond Laboratory.
I was from State College and lived on E. McCormick Avenue just around the corner from where Woody resided with his young family, across the street from Grahams Service Station. It’s still there.
Later we would meet again while working with the
Sperry Secor Simulation Organization. I remember
driving into the NAS at Whidbey Island, Washington
on a field trip with Woody and he coached me on how to greet the saluting marine at the entrance.
“Good Morning Marine”.
Woody was a few years older, having served some time in the military before college. I always appreciated his friendship, guidance, and support and saddened to hear of his passing.
“Rest in Peace Marine”
John M. Stevens