Michael Wooderson passed away on October 14, 2020. He was born Dec. 18, 1945 in Caldwell and was soon adopted, along with his older brother Jack, by Glenn and Marguerite Wooderson. Soon followed his sisters Margaret, then Dessie, and then Harriet.
Mike attended school in Caldwell and some high school in Wellington. He graduated from Caldwell High School in 1963. He ran track, played basketball and football, and to hear him tell the stories, he was pretty good. His cousin, Alvin Johnston, was older and followed Mike’s athletic career which meant a lot to him. Mike also hung out with his Uncle Ike Counsel (and Aunt Maude) who owned the salvage yard East of Caldwell. He told a lot of stories of playing with his cousins Marilyn and Carolyn, and Renna Mae when they were young.
In 1968 he married Cheryl Ginn and in 1973 moved to Americus, KS where he was employed by Contel Telephone. They lived in Americus until 1990 when they moved to Emporia. Mike continued to work for the phone company which is now Sprint. He retired in the late 90’s. Cheryl worked in Emporia so Mike was the parent in charge during the day. He had to make a few trips to the Americus grade school principal’s office to see why Eric was in there.
Lots of good friends in Caldwell. In later years Buck Ryan and his wife Delane became his “go to” friends for everything. He really enjoyed visiting them in McPherson and also in Houston when they moved. We went everywhere with them – Las Vegas, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Galveston, San Antonio to name a few. He also re-connected with some of his Wellington high school buddies.
Mike loved to watch nephews play football. We made a few trips to Tulsa to watch James and a few trips to Caldwell to watch Jake. Also went to Council Grove to watch Chad, Chase played for Emporia High and Rhett played all over the place, primarily in Ark City.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Cheryl, son Eric, daughter-in-law Michelle and granddaughters Josey and Jordan. He was very proud of Eric for graduating college with a business degree and proud of him and Michelle for raising his ‘perfect’ grandkids. All four of them teased the daylights out of him. After a fender bender Michelle wrapped his pickup in bubble wrap. Josey and Jordan became Grandpa’s protectors always helping him find his phone, how to USE the phone, how to run the car radio, and it was an uphill battle. He lost his phone in Caldwell one time and Jordan found it on top of his car in Emporia! He was able to master his SIRIUS radio however, and listen to music from the 50s and 60s as well as sports channels. I think his favorite time in his life was watching the girls in their sporting events. They were good athletes and as hard headed as he was – so very proud of their accomplishments in sports and academics as well.
We miss him and will keep all the good memories in our hearts.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the Corzine Cemetery in Corbin, Kansas.
