Kenneth Woodward, affectionately known to many as "Doc Woodward," died at his ranch on March 27, 2025, just days before his 90th birthday. He was born on March 31, 1935, in Tyrone, Oklahoma, during height of the dust bowl and just two weeks before "Black Sunday" – a massive dust storm that devastated the Oklahoma Panhandle and one of the worst in American history. Kenneth would go on to contract and survive dust pneumonia as an infant, a remarkable beginning that marked the strength and resilience he would carry throughout his life.

He received the majority of his early education in Tyrone. As a senior in high school, he moved to Goodwell, Oklahoma where he was the only boy in a graduating class of ten girls at Goodwell High School, which did not include his high school sweetheart and lover of his life from Tyrone, Maxine Markham. The two were married on August 1, 1954, and shared over 70 years of marriage rooted in lifelong devotion.

Together they attended Oklahoma Panhandle State University, where Kenneth earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. He later went on to pursue a Master's degree in Agricultural Science from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where they also started a family with their first child, Denise. After completing his degree, the couple returned to the Woodward Ranch north of Goodwell.

In 1965, Kenneth began teaching agriculture and coaching livestock judging teams at OPSU, beginning a decades-long career in education that would touch numerous lives. In 1971, he moved his family to Ames, Iowa, to pursue a PhD in Animal and Meat Science, and earned his doctorate studying the cellular composition and DNA content of muscle in rats and its relationship to animal growth. His children remember the rat studies well.

In 1976, Doc Woodward and family returned to Texhoma, Oklahoma, where Kenneth resumed teaching, continued coaching judging teams, and ranched for the next 30 years. He retired in 2000, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom, hard work, and compassion.

Kenneth never met a stranger—he talked to everyone, everywhere. Generous and wise, he loved and served his family with unwavering commitment. He spent decades teaching Sunday school at the United Methodist Church in Texhoma, beginning in 1976. His faith, kindness, and integrity left a lasting imprint on family, friends, students, and his entire community.

He was a cowboy at heart, reflected in his extensive personal collection of saddles, spurs, bridles and hats. Among his proudest roles, however, was that of grandfather. He taught all of his grandchildren how to ride a horse, and was a devoted presence at countless sporting events, graduations and weddings where he could be seen carrying an aging film camera despite his children's access to far superior digital camera technology.

Kenneth is survived by his beloved wife, Maxine Woodward; daughters Denise Pepper with her husband Dave, Retta Woodward, and Jennifer Pittman and husband David; 10 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Mildred Woodward; his son, Mark Woodward; and sisters Sharon Garland and Madelyn Flatt.

Rest well, Doc Woodward. Your legacy lives on in the lives you touched and the love you gave so freely.

A celebration of Doc's life will be held Monday morning, March 31st at 11:00 a.m. at the Texhoma Methodist Church with Rev. Alan Meyer officiating.  Burial will be at the Texhoma Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials in Doc's name can be made to the Oklahoma Panhandle State Foundation, where he was an officer and member for decades.  Memorials will be accepted at the Bunch - Roberts Funeral Home, PO Box 1112, Guymon, OK 73942.  Friends can sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at www.bunchroberts.com .

A memorial video honoring Doc's life can be seen at the following link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YHxLwSeRj3I