Thomas Woodworth

A truly wonderful man and beloved father passed away June 18, 2017 in his home on Gull Lake. Tom was born March 9, 1931 in Schoolcraft, Michigan the third child of Thomas Bishop and Dorothy Crittenden Woodworth. He graduated from State High at Western Michigan College (1949) and received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northwestern University (1954) where he pledged the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He was baseball and was the Captain and catcher for Northwestern's baseball team with his good friend, pitcher Bus Carlson. Tom served in the US Marines before being honorably discharged because of asthma. Tom met Nancy Upjohn when she helped him open his locker in 8th grade. They began a lifelong courtship that year, and after they both graduated from college, they celebrated with a wedding at the First Baptist Church in Kalamazoo on June 26, 1954. Tom spent his career working for and then being President of Graff Trucking Company and David Motor Express, but family was his first love. He enthusiastically supported his five children in all of their endeavors including Scouting, music, and many sports. After retiring from Graff Trucking, Tom and Nancy, moved to Sanibel Island, Florida, but continued spending summers at Gull Lake in Michigan. On Sanibel, they became members of the Captiva Island Yacht Club. Tom spent many hours in Tarpon Bay on his Boston Whaler fishing or watching for dolphins and manatees. At Gull Lake, Tom enjoyed tennis, boating, and gardening. In his later years, Tom entertained often, both in Sanibel and Michigan, enjoying the company of family, friends and business associates. He became an avid bird watcher, maintaining many feeders at both of his residences. Tom is survived by his sisters, Sue McGoff, Marilyn Moise, Mary Lou Milner, Nancy Tyler, and Connie Fonnesbeck; his children and grandchildren Wendy Robbins (Stephen, Peter and Kathy), Bill Woodworth (Jamie and Andrew), Scott Woodworth (Chasity and Thomas), and Jim Woodworth (Kali and Jenna); great-granddaughter (Chasity's daughter) Ryah Love Woodworth, and many nieces and nephews with their children. Tom was preceded in death by his sister Sandy Metzler, his son Rob Woodworth and his loving wife of almost 60 years, Nancy. A memorial service will be held at 10:13am on Saturday, September 16 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick in Kalamazoo. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be directed to the U-M Depression Center/Rachel Upjohn Building (1000 Oakbrook, Ste. 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104), Northwestern University (Office of Annual Giving, 1201 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60208), St. Timothy's Episcopal Church (9800 East BC Avenue, Richland, MI 49083), Sanibel Congregation United Church of Christ (2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957), or a charity of one's choosing. To view Tom's personalized guestbook please visit www.langelands.com.