Arthur S. Woodward

Arthur S. Woodward, 87, of Orange Park, FL went to be with the Lord peacefully and surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 14, 2020. He was born on December 10, 1932 to Vernal and Thelma (Simmons) Woodward in Beals, Maine. 

He graduated from the University of Maine, earned a master's degree from Rutgers University, and did additional graduate work at NYU, Harvard Public Health, and Boston University. He served in the U.S. Army in a Nike guided missile battalion. He taught and/or held administrative posts in Beals High School, South River and Jamesburg, New Jersey, Boston's Museum of Science, Quincy Public Schools in Massachusetts, and Eastern Nazarene College in Wollaston, Massachusetts. He was married for over 63 years to the love of his life, Lois E. (Flick) Woodward. They were married in Butler, Pennsylvania on October 19, 1956.

He served the Lord since his youth, and Lois and Art were active members of the Wollaston, Massachusetts Church of the Nazarene for many years while living in the Boston area. Since moving to Orange Park a couple of years ago they have been embraced by the Orange Park United Methodist Church family. 

He loved to recount memories of his childhood and growing up on the beautiful coast of Maine and completed a book in 2014 entitled "Adventures and History from Downeast Maine". As a young man he enjoyed working with his dad buying and selling lobsters and transporting them by truck and boat. He and Lois loved traveling with friends, and spending time in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Cape Cod. He enjoyed golf, sharing his beautiful bass singing voice (especially in gospel quartets) and Bible study. He was always a teacher at heart and loved to create an impromptu physics experiment. He had a wonderful sense of humor and sometimes got his nephews and grandchildren into trouble along with him. Making a fish chowder for his family on Christmas Eve was a delicious tradition. He was a dedicated member of the Beals Historical Society and frequently contributed historical information, personal memories and anecdotes.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and dear friend to so many! He was a "good and faithful" servant of the Lord, and never ceased to lift his family and friends up in prayer. Though saddened to be separated for a little while, his family rejoices with him now that he is whole and healthy once again; we know we shall one day be reunited! 

He is survived by his wife, Lois Woodward of Orange Park, FL, his daughter, Ann Tabor (married to John Tabor) of Fleming Island, FL, his son, A. Steven Woodward (married to Kim Sheets Woodward) of Snellville, GA, and his grandchildren, Lindsay Tabor and Brooke Tabor of Fleming Island, FL, Jessica Woodward of Athens, GA, Julie Woodward of Largo, FL and Michael Woodward of Snellville, GA. He was preceded in death by his infant grandson, Jonathan Woodward. 

He will be buried with military honors on Friday, March 20, 2020 at 9:30 AM at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218. If you would like to attend, please arrive by 9 AM and pull into "Lane #2". Dr. Charles C. Lever, Senior Pastor of Orange Park United Methodist Church, will officiate. A Celebration of Life service will be scheduled in Orange Park at a later date.

If you would like, you may make a donation in lieu of flowers in memory of Arthur Woodward to one of the following organizations:

Donation payable to "BHS"

Beals Historical Society

PO Box 280

Beals, ME 04611

Donation payable to "Community Hospice Foundation"

Community Hospice Foundation

4266 Sunbeam Road

Jacksonville, FL 32257