James “Neil” Nelson Woodruff 54, of Elkins passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2013 at Washington Regional Medical Center. He was born on May 27, 1959 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Ronnie and Alma Arnold Garner.Neil was raised and lived his life as a Baptist. He cherished spending time with his family. He was employed over 35 years at Apex of Springdale as a supervisor and emergency medical technician. He volunteered many years for Goshen and then Round Mtn fire Dept. Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Debbie Short Woodruff; son, Justin Woodruff and wife Sarah; daughter, Mindy Tolly and husband Jim; grandchildren, Connor Tolly, Caleb Tolly, Paige Woodruff, Bradley Woodruff and Norah Woodruff; parents, Gene and Alma Woodruff of Brazoria, Texas;three brothers, Ronnie Woodruff, Jeff Woodruff, Darren Woodruff; sister, Renee Showash all of Texas; father and mother in law, Glen and Fredia Short of Fayetteville.The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 PM Monday, July 1, 2013 at the funeral home. A funeral service will held 10:00 AM Tuesday at Beard’s Funeral Chapel with Rev. Larry Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow at the Round Mountain Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.
James “Neil” Nelson Woodruff May 27, 1959 ~June 29, 2013
My condolences to your family Neil. You were my friend for years and you will be missed terribly, not by just me, but by all those whose lives you touched. Farewell my friend…..
I am so sorry to hear of James’ passing. He left us far too soon.
He would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it. He was a great friend and co-worker. We at Apex will truly miss him as I’m sure his family will as well.
God bless.
Debbie,
Words cannot express how very sorry I am for you and your family. My prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Love ya,
Emily
Our deepest Sympathy on your sudden loss. James was a great guy and friend who we both enjoyed working and talking with. Through the years we have had many conversations about life, family, yard mowing and of course Apex. He will be greatly missed by us.
Again we are so sorry for your loss,
Ernie and Chree
Debbie, so sorry for your loss. Praying foe you.
I am heartsick at the loss of such a sweet man. My love and condolences to the family.
Laura
Oh Debbie, I’m so so sorry. I know this probibly dosn’t help but it’s really not good-by it’s just see you in a little bit. Please know both you and the whole family are in our prayers. God Bless.
Heart felt sympathy to all of your family Neil. Though I have not seen you since we were kids growing up in Shreveport, I still got the great memories.This is not goodbye, it’s I’ll see you later.
Gods speed my friend.
I am so sorry to hear of James’ passing. He was a great friend and co-worker. He truly cared for his people and would Give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. To Debbie and family-just remember our loss is heavens gain.
I’ve known James pretty much ever since I have started work in 1986 at Apex. He was one of the most genuine people I have ever met. I am extremely sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed.
To Neil’s family
Words can not express your loss.
I wanted to let you know that he was a good friend.
His qualities of being a quiet spoken leader and care for his fellow man are something you can be proud of.
May God Bless
James thank you for allowing me to be your friend.
I will miss you and so will everyone who has ever known you.
You were one of the best men I have ever met and my life was better because I knew you.
Goodbye James.
Chuck Weldon
So sorry to hear about James. I enjoyed working with him at Apex. He will be greatly missed. Our deepest sympathy go out to you and the family.
So sorry to hear about James. I enjoyed working with him at Apex. He will be greatly missed. Our deepest sympathy go out to you and the family.
I am so sorry to hear of James’ passing. He will be truly missed. He was a great friend and coworker who really cared about his people. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. RIP MY FRIEND.
My condolences to your family. I worked with James for 16 years and he was one of the nicest people I have ever known. Always willing to help out. He will be missed by many. Praying for God’s comfort and strength for all of you. God bless.
To a great man, you will be missed. Thoughts and prayers go out from the Apex team.
My prayers and condolences to all the Woodruff family. May God grand you peace during this difficult time.
May you rest in the arms of Jesus. I have known you only a short time, but I know you are a good man with a good heart and you cared about the people who worked with you. We will miss you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Debbie and the rest of family. Aaron and Johnna Howell
So sorry to hear about Neil. I have not seen him in many years but kept up with all of you through Alma and Gene(my brother). Just know that you and the family are in our prayers and that God will give you comfort in the comeing days. Love Betty Ann and Don Olden
It’s so hard to express words of condolences in this difficult time, but I pray to God to give you strength his heart and give him peace.
( 2 Thessalonians 2-16-17 )
2Th 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
2Th 2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
Dear Debbie, Justin ,Sarah and family members:
We grieve along with you in the untimely death of your husband, father and dear one. His death comes as a shock to us all. but in God’s plan it was his time to be taken to his eternal reward. We naturally mourn –but we must never forget that our times and destiny are in God’s hand. Neil was taken from the land of “the dying to the land of the living”. We share with you what learned as children–“What is your only comfort in life and in death? That I am not my own but belong -body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ”. For believers, the words of Jesus are profoundly powerful-“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live ,even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” John 11:25,26
Dear Debbie, Justin, Sarah and family members:
We are profoundly sorry to hear of Neil’s death. Our faith is tested at times like these. No one professes to understand the ways of God sometimes. As children we remembered being taught–“What is your only comfort in life and in death? That I am not my own, but belong-body and soul, in life and in death-to my faithful savior Jesus Christ” (Heidelberg Catechism). Let’s all remember the profoundly powerful words of our Lord -“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in my will never die” John 11:25,26. We pray now for the comfort of the Holy Spirit for you all.
Our heart felt condolences goes out to your family. We thank you for being our friend and we will miss you James. Gods speed my friend…
Debbie, Mindy, Justin, & Family:
Sending you our most heartfelt sympathy! May God encircle you with His loving arms of comfort is our prayer! Love, Rick & DeLane McCoy
I am so sorry for your loss! We have lost a very valuable member of our community and heaven has gained a new angel!
My nephew was a quiet, soft spoken man that had a passion for loving his family. Debbie was cherished very much by Neil and his love for his son, daughter and granchildren was a lovely thing to see. All of his family and friends will miss him in our lives. Good bye “Sweet Prince” until we see each other again.
Aunt Peggy and Uncle Armando
Debbie,
We are so sorry for your loss. Neil was a truly great guy. He will be greatly missed by all. My God bless you and your family.
Prayers and sympathy to the family. I worked with James for many years. He was a good man and will be missed by many.
So sorry for your loss. Let the Lord comfort you in this difficult time. We know he is now in a much better place & someday we’ll all meet again. Marlin has worked with James for 15 or 16 yrs. & I had worked with him about 3 yrs. He was a good man & I’m sure the whole Apex team will miss him terribly. God Bless
Dear family of Neil, you are not alone in your grief. Our faithful God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ grieves with you as Neil was ripped so abruptly from your lives due to an undetected condition. What an incomprehensible loss for you as his wife, children, siblings and even precious grandchildren. It’s clear that Neil was loved and highly respected by family, friends, co-workers and community. Even though you know he is with God, you miss him terribly – take all the time you need to mourn his loss, to cry your tears, and to remember what he was in each of your lives. Cherish your memories. Neil, you were and are loved so much!
Dear family of Neil, you are not alone in your grief. Our faithful God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ grieves with you as Neil was ripped so abruptly from your lives due to an undetected condition. What an incomprehensible loss for you as his wife, children, siblings and even precious grandchildren. It’s clear that Neil was loved and highly respected by family, friends, co-workers and community. Even though you know he is with God, you miss him terribly – take all the time you need to mourn his loss, to cry your tears, and to remember what he was in each of your lives. Cherish your memories. Neil, you are loved so much!
Debbie, I am so sorry for your loss. You had many great years with a wonderful man. You are so blessed to have those family memories. My prayers are with you and your family.
I am so sorry to hear of James passing. I only work with him a few years. He was a man with integrity and values. He will be greatly missed. May God’s love comfort and bless you all.
I saw this in the paper the other day and wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. I know we haven’t talked since high school but I have thought of you two occasionally.
Carol
Debbie, I was really shocked to hear of Neil’s passing,since I have known you both since 9th grade. He is gone way too soon. So sorry for your loss,but my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your friend,Phyllis
I am so very sorry to hear of Neil’s passing. Please know I am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers during this tough time. What a great guy and what a great family!