Darold J. Woodcock

Although fighting various infections and illnesses over the past 4 months of his life; Darold Woodcock never lost touch with his faith and trust in God's will. He maintained a brave and cheerful outlook of an optimistic future-even through hospitalizations, countless procedures and discomfort. He continued to devote his undying love and affection for his wife, Mildred and their two children, Van and Cathy, and be involved in their lives, through phone calls from home or his hospital bed.
He died at home during his sleep of natural causes on January 16th. He was 84 years old.
Darold, known to many of his friends and family as 'Woody', was born June 1, 1929 in Pine Lawn, Missouri (St. Louis) and later moved to the family farm near Sullivan, MO where he spent the first three years of school in a one room country schoolhouse called Bacon Ridge School. His parents moved back to the St. Louis area (Maryland Heights, MO) before he started the 4th grade and he attended the Pattonville School District through high school graduation. He continued his education and received his Bachelors degree from Columbia College.
Darold joined the US Air Force in 1950, became a B-29 Bomber Radio and Electronic Counter Measurer Operator (ECM) and was assigned to the US Far East Air Force (FEAF), 19th Bomber Command. He flew 24 combat missions in the Korean War in 1952. He saw lots of aerial combat and was shot down but miraculously never suffered any bodily injury. He served as a Combat Lead Operator and Wing Stand Board Operator. In 1953 he returned home to the United States and was stationed at Tucson, AZ where he served as an Airborne Radio Operator on a KB-29 hose type aerial tanker and KC-97 boom type aerial tanker in the Strategic Air Command. He was honorably discharged from active military service in 1954.
Darold's love of aviation and his military days didn't end when he left the US Air Force. Immediately following his active military service he worked for 8 years as an Air Traffic Controller at the St. Louis International Airport and later worked at several Department of the Army installations for 26 more years as a Supervisory Position and Pay Management Consultant. Darold retired from the Department of the Army as a Civilian in 1984 after 38 years.
Darold was introduced to his wife, Mildred, through his cousins and after several years they married in St. Louis in August 1957. They would have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary this year. In 1961 they had their first child, a son, Van Joseph followed by a daughter in 1963, Catherine Veronica.
Darold made friends easily and maintained contact with many over the years, especially his military buddies. He was an active volunteer, most notably for the Korean War Veterans Association (Chapter 6 -CID 186 in St. Charles, MO), attending local events Commemorating various holidays and memorials.
Before his health began to decline, Darold was an active outdoorsman. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Later in life, he simply loved being outside, working in the yard, sitting on the deck, talking to his neighbors, and spending time with his beloved dog, Buddy.
Darold is survived by his wife, Mildred, and his two children: Van of Pasadena, CA and Cathy of St. Charles, IL, his brother Rolland of Bridgeton, MO; three grandsons: Taylor, Andrew and Connor and several fond nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, C. Hector and J. Veronica Woodcock.
In lieu of flowers, donations made to any wildlife or nature preservation society, the Korean War Veterans Association (Chapter 6 -CID 186) or Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church would be an appropriate and appreciated way to celebrate his love of the outdoors, his military service and his faith.
Darold's life will be celebrated in a service at Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church with a burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Suggested Donations:Missouri Department of Conservation:http://mdc.mo.gov/about-us/get-involved/monetary-gifts-and-memorial-donations
Korean War Veterans Association (Chapter 6-CID 186):KWVATreasurer, Robert Cummiskey805 Stonebluff Ct.Chesterfield, MO 63005
Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church:http://chapelofthecrosslutheran.org/default.phpContact Pastor Mark Hoehner @ 636-928-5885