Charles Owen Woody Jr

Charles Owen Woody, Jr., 85, of Storrs, died February 13, 2016 at Hartford Hospital due to heart complications. He was the youngest child and only son of Charles Owen and Bessie Rodgers Woody and was born in Somerville, Fayette County, TN, October 28, 1930. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Frances Taylor Thorpe Woody; four children: Charles Gerald (Jerry) Thorpe (Mario Rallo), Michael Taylor Thorpe, Sara Elizabeth (Woody) Kubas (Jeffrey), and Charles Matthew Woody; four granddaughters, Debra, Elizabeth, Alison and Michelle Kubas and numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents and three sisters; Margaret Overton, Charline Moore, and Martha Graves. Charles served in the USAF from 1951 to 1955 when he was discharged as a Staff Sergeant. He attended Mississippi State University earning his BS and MS degrees before enrolling in 1959 at NC State University earning his PhD in 1963 in Animal Science. Charles and Frances were married August 28, 1960. Charles went on to a postdoctoral program and then as Project Associate at the University of Wisconsin from 1963 to 1968 before accepting a position as Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut. He taught courses in reproductive physiology, lactation physiology and in elementary genetics. Later he established and was the first head of the Transgenic Animal Facility. Charles became a Professor in March of 1981 and retired in January 1992 as a Professor of Animal Sciences, while still working part time at the Transgenic Animal Facility until November of 1995. He became actively involved in the community serving in his church, first at the Storrs Congregational Church and later the First Baptist Church of Mansfield. He was long active in the Boy Scouts of America, serving in Troop 56 in Mansfield as Assistant Scout Master 3.5 years and Scout Master for 12 A? years. He was also active at the District and Council levels and received the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver for his services. Charles became a member of Lions International and was recognized by his fellow Lions with a Knight of the Blind Award. He later became a member of Gideon's International (in which he served faithfully until health limited his contributions). Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, February 17th, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street, Willimantic, CT. A memorial service will be held Thursday, February 18, 2016 at the First Baptist Church of Mansfield, CT at 2:00 pm. His ashes will be interred in his beloved Fayette County, TN. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Connecticut Rivers Council, BSA, 60 Darlin Street, East Hartford, CT 06108-3201, or the First Baptist Church of Mansfield, 945 Storrs Road, Storrs, CT 06268. Please sign the online guest book at www.potterfuneralhome.com