Mr. Larry Darnell 'Woody' Woodruff

December 13, 1949 - November 12, 2020

Burial Date: November 21, 2020

Funeral Home W. J. Gist Mortuary

Interment Heritage Memorial Garden

Saturday (11/21): Graveside Service and Interment – 1PM; Heritage Memorial Garden


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Life Profile

Larry (Woody) Darnell Woodruff, son of the late Rev. Amzie L. Woodruff and Hermina Young and stepmother Connie Woodruff. Larry died on November 12, 2020 after a short illness.

Larry graduated from Mt. Tahoma High School in Tacoma, Washington and after high school he entered into the U.S. Navy and served eight years. Larry resided in Lynwood, Washington where he worked for GTE (AT&T) for thirty years as a Telephone Technician and retired in 2018.

For many years he enjoyed his part time work at Emerald Downs and helped organize the 3 on 3 basketball tournaments, and was the President of the Pacific Northwest Basketball Association and ran tirelessly up and down high school basketball courts for many years as basketball officials, and also served as the Board President of the Ray Gibson Caballero Club and was a dedicated member.

Larry attended Shiloh Baptist Church in Tacoma, Washington.

Left to cherish fond memories are twin sons, Darnell and Latroy Woodruff; brothers, Sidney Woodruff and Tracy Young; sisters Audrey Woodruff, Scarlett Watts, Phyllis Bowie (Lance), Shelia Pearson (Arthur) and Jeannette Young; Two grandsons, Cody and Scott Woodruff; aunts, Kay Young and Barbara McClintock; uncles, Dennis and Joe Woodruff; cousin Will Anderson; and host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Surrounded by his sons, Larry lost his short battle with cancer.