ROYCE BRUNT & ALBERT EUGENE “GENE” WOODARD

2021

Royce Brunt Woodard, 87, passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. She was born in Houston on February 2, 1934 to Roy and Jessye Brunt. While completing her education at Lamar High School, Royce met the love of her life, Albert Eugene “Gene” Woodard. Royce and Gene were married on August 8th,1952 and celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary, days before Royce went to be with the Lord. Just twenty-seven hours later, her beloved Gene joined her in Heaven.

During their marriage, Royce and Gene created a beautiful life in Briargrove Park, where they were founding members of the community. Royce recalls finding their new home in West Houston and saying it felt like they were moving all the way to San Antonio because the area around the neighborhood was only farmland. Eventually the city grew, as did the Woodard family and their love of the “edition.” Royce was a member of Bethany Christian Church, Grace Presbyterian Church and volunteered her time with The Blue Bird Circle and the Junior League of Houston. In her spare time, Royce joined Gene for business and leisure trips, hosted countless dinner parties, and loved their family outings

her farm in Hempstead. Royce truly lived life to the fullest, but loved the simple pleasures most; visiting with friends and family, her weekly bridge outings, and laughing with her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

While the simplest pleasures were always a gift to Royce, she also had an uncanny sense of style and a passion for dining out on the town. Those close to her will forever remember Royce’s love of fresh flowers, her fondness of the written word, particularly in the form of thank you notes and letters of encouragement, and the perfectly crafted martini. She was the constant recipient of Gene’s favorite love language, the practical joke, which she took like a champ. The Woodard family jokes that Royce was a “trooper”, as she would join Gene and her family on their many hunting and fishing trips, perhaps not because she enjoyed the activity, but because she loved watching those around her in their happiest moments. Royce’s fondness for people was felt by all, as she never met a stranger and routinely took in her family’s friends as her own children. Of course, the feeling was mutual. Royce’s warmth left a lasting impression on all who were lucky enough to spend time with her.

______________ Albert Eugene “Gene” Woodard, 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 12th at his home in Houston. Gene and his wife, Royce Brunt Woodard, celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary together, just three days before they both went to be with the Lord.

Gene was born in Tampa, Florida on November 15, 1929, and was the second son of George and Bess Woodard. The Woodard Family moved to Houston early in Gene’s childhood, where he attended Lamar High School and the University of Houston, earning a degree in Geology. During that time, he met the love of his life, Royce, on a blind date and “convinced her to marry him.” They were married at Bethany Christian Church, and shortly after welcomed four children.

The Woodards moved to a new neighborhood out west, Briargrove Park, and built a life surrounded by family, friends, and laughter.

In his early career, Gene took an interest in geology and Houston’s prolific oil and gas industry. He began his professional life with Harrison Interests, a career that Gene routinely referenced as some of the best and most formative years of his life. Gene retired from Harrison Interests in 1985 to create his own oil company, Woodard Energy. His tenured career took Gene throughout many parts of Texas, hunting for oil and making friends along the way. Gene was a member of the Houston Geological Society, AAPG, the National Rifle Association, and was a member at Bethany Christian Church and Grace Presbyterian Church.

Gene’s passions extended beyond oil, as he was a fan of hunting, fishing, and loved the outdoors. He frequented their properties throughout Texas, but loved cultivating the land at The Wood-Duck Club in Damon, Texas. Gene worked with Ducks Unlimited to foster a sustainable hunting and fishing club, and was able to share the experience with his family and friends alike.

Above all else, Gene most cherished the family he and Roycie created. Their four children, six grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren were Gene’s proudest accomplishments, and he routinely let them know that he was honored to be their patriarch. Gene showed that love in many ways, but he was particularly fond of the practical joke. He will be remembered as a prankster with a huge smile, a man that would do anything for his family, and most of all, a true gentleman.

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Royce and Gene were preceded in death by parents George and Bess Woodard, Roy and Jessye Brunt; siblings Jack Woodard, William “Bill” Woodard, and Jessye Ruthe Holleman, son-in-law Mike Fields, niece Patricia Kirkwood Crawford, and countless other friends they made throughout their lives. Left behind to carry on their immeasurable light and legacy are children Cathy Woodard Fields of Alice, Susan Woodard Emerson of Houston, Daniel Roy Woodard of Hempstead, and Albert Eugene “Rusty” Woodard Jr. of Corpus Christi; grandchildren Charles

“Chris” Christian, Kelly Fields Murdoch, Amy Fields Gunn, Ally Hall Hare, Jaime Emerson Brochu, Matt Fields, 8 great grandchildren, and long-time Woodard Energy employee and friend, Gail Jones.

The family invites all whose lives were touched by Royce and Gene Woodard to attend their joint memorial service. Thursday, August 26th at 10am • The Chapel at Grace Presbyterian Church • 10221 Ella Lee Lane.