Brian Ray Woodard, 40, passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2021. He was born on December 29, 1980 in Groton, Connecticut, to Monte and Janet (Manning) Woodard. He graduated from Ledyard High School in 1998 and continued his education at Mitchell College where he earned an Associates degree in Criminal Justice. Brian’s roots were deeply planted in Ledyard, Connecticut. He excelled in all sports and won many awards and titles. He was inducted into the into the Ledyard Hall of Fame for Football and was selected for the ECC conference for baseball. Brian loved growing up in Ledyard and made countless friends and memories throughout his life. Brian spent his adult years traveling between Connecticut and Jacksonville Beach, Florida, working as a landscaper. He enjoyed outdriving everyone in golf, fishing anywhere, going to the beach with his family, surfing, coaching youth football, playing in pool tournaments, and spending time with his friends and family.
Brian will be remembered for his athleticism, loyalty, life long friendships, hard work ethic, strength, compassion, love for the outdoors, and his sense of humor. His quick wit and laughter will be missed the most. Life with Brian was always an adventure and he experienced so much in his 40 years!
Besides his parents, Brian is survived by his daughters, Haley and Jillian Woodard of Connecticut; his siblings, Melanie Harris (Ryan), Troy Woodard (Melanie), Chris Gummere (Michelle), and Lance Gummere (Gracie); along with several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his nephew, Dylan Woodard Brown, and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
A memorial service will be held March 13, 2021, 2:00 pm at Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home, 4750 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra Beach Fl. A reception will immediately follow his service at the American Legion of Palm Valley (less than one mile from funeral home) at 560 N. Wilderness Trail, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. While the venues are large, we ask that you wear a mask when social distancing can’t be practiced. The service will be live streamed for those that can’t attend, and will display directly below this obituary with the link active approximately ten minutes before the start of the service.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you spend some time outdoors with your family; catch a wave, plant a tree, play a game of kickball. Keep on smiling for Brian.
