Dean Woodward

(From Parker Mortuary)

Gerald Dean Woodward, age 85, Neosho, passed away at 12:05 a.m. Monday, July 3, 2017 .

Dean was born May 7, 1932 in Newton County, Missouri to the late Cecil Woodward, Sr. and Amra Testerman Woodward and had lived in the area all of his life.

He worked as a materials handler at Teledyne, retiring in the mid 90's. Dean was a deputy with the Newton County Sheriff's Department from 1968 until 2000. In his spare time, Dean also worked as a butcher, an auctioneer and a loss prevention officer with Wal-Mart, Inc.

Dean was a past president of the Westview School Board. He held an annual pass at Silver Dollar City from 1970 until 2016 and worked in the bakery there for a short time. Dean loved the outdoors and could be found fishing and camping whenever he got the chance.

He is survived by his wife, Janice, of the home; his former wife and mother of his children, Wilma; children, Donald Dean Woodward and his wife, Colleen, Neosho, Randy Eugene Woodward and his wife, Dianna, Joplin, Teresa Ann Clifton and her husband, David, Joplin, Karen Sue Woodward, Joplin; grandchildren, Micah, Jennifer, Noah, Josh, Leia, Charity, Sean, Jordan, Jessica; eight great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Dean was preceded in death by a son, Billy G. Woodward; and siblings, Lawrence, Gilbert, Cecil Jr., Donald, Howard, Hadley, Daisy and Ivadell.

Services are planned for Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Hottel Springs Church of Christ, southeast of Seneca. Rev. Lawrence Sanders will officiate. Interment will follow in Swars Prairie Cemetery. The family will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6-8:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Newton County Sheriff's Department Retirement Fund.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.