Woodrow Nielsen

Woody Nielsen, 94, longtime resident of Ruidoso, passed away after a brief illness on Thursday, September 10, 2009 in Alamogordo. Woody was born August 15, 1915 in Harrold, Texas to Alex and Ella Nielsen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 62 years, Beatrice, three brother, Carl Nielsen, Henry Nielsen, and George Nielsen; two sisters, Marie Renfro and Captolia Leverrett; a son-in-law, Jim McDonald.

He is survived by his daughters, Danielle McDonald of Ruidoso and Pam Climer and her husband John of Alamogordo; four grandsons, J.D. McDonald of Jonestown, TX, Tommy McDonald of Las Vegas, NV, Rev. Niel Climer of Visalia, CA and Cody Climer of Portland, OR; 8 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.

Woody attended North Texas State Teachers' College in Denton, TX after graduating from Harrold High School. On July 2, 1936 Woody married Beatrice Daugherty of Electra, TX. During World War II, Woody worked at the shipyard in Beaumont, TX building destroyer escorts fo the Navy. After the war Woody worked in the oilfields of West Texas like Muleshoe, Morton, Littlefield, Levelland, Seminole, and Andrews. In the 1970's Woody and Bea moved to Ruidoso where they operated the Taco Bar, Downs Drive-In theater. After Woody retired from the movie theater business, he went to work in the Forest Service senior program. His favorite pastime was fishing, Woody said, I just like to fish, I don't care if I catch anything. He enjoyed a long and rich life with his family and many friends. Woody was a member of First Baptist Church of Ruidoso.

There will be a memorial service on October 2, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the J Bar J County Church in Ruidoso. The family has ask that memorials be made to the Homebound Program at the First Baptist Church in Ruidoso or to your favorite charity.

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