Pasadena Citizen - Sports
Pasadena school district to honor supporter, biggest fan
By MARK KRAMER
Throughout the years, Pasadena ISD high school football players, coaches, cheerleaders and band and drill team members have all shared one thing in common.
They all knew Walter Woodard.
Known simply as Walter to hundreds of PISD athletes and fans, he will be honored for his many years of dedication and support to the Pasadena schools by the Pasadena ISD Board of Trustees Tuesday night. They will present Walter with a special commendation at their regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at the district’s administration building, 1515 Cherrybrook. A reception will be held for Walter at 6:30 before the meeting.
“Walter was our biggest fan, our largest supporter, our word of encouragement and our motivation,” said Fred Roberts, board member and Pasadena High School alumnus. “There is not a student alive starting back from the late 50s to the 90s that did not know Walter.”
Walter enrolled in Pasadena schools in 1958 at the age of 12. His education included years at San Jacinto Intermediate, Pasadena High School, before moving to Sam Rayburn when it opened. He graduated from Rayburn in 1966.
Walter’s sister-in-law Claudett Woodard said Walter fondly remembers coaches Ray Cleckler, Bob Barfield, Buddy Caulk and Bobby Graham. His other favorite instructors were junior high math teacher Grace Grantham, P.E. teacher Odell Harrison and his junior high science teacher Ms. Kirkpatrick.
“We believe such a special individual should be publicly recognized and commended for his outstanding devotion,” said Dr. Kirk Lewis, Pasadena ISD superintendant. “His spirit and enthusiasm are contagious and will live on forever.”
On Nov. 1, Mayor Johnny Isbell declared that day Walter Woodard Day in a proclamation he read during the Toys for Tots Softball Tournament that has now been renamed the Walter Woodard Toys for Tots Softball Tournament.
Walter loves to receive cards and letters. They can be sent to him at Friendswood Health Care Center, 213 E. Heritage Drive, Friendswood, Tx. 77546.
They all knew Walter Woodard.
Known simply as Walter to hundreds of PISD athletes and fans, he will be honored for his many years of dedication and support to the Pasadena schools by the Pasadena ISD Board of Trustees Tuesday night. They will present Walter with a special commendation at their regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at the district’s administration building, 1515 Cherrybrook. A reception will be held for Walter at 6:30 before the meeting.
“Walter was our biggest fan, our largest supporter, our word of encouragement and our motivation,” said Fred Roberts, board member and Pasadena High School alumnus. “There is not a student alive starting back from the late 50s to the 90s that did not know Walter.”
Walter enrolled in Pasadena schools in 1958 at the age of 12. His education included years at San Jacinto Intermediate, Pasadena High School, before moving to Sam Rayburn when it opened. He graduated from Rayburn in 1966.
Walter’s sister-in-law Claudett Woodard said Walter fondly remembers coaches Ray Cleckler, Bob Barfield, Buddy Caulk and Bobby Graham. His other favorite instructors were junior high math teacher Grace Grantham, P.E. teacher Odell Harrison and his junior high science teacher Ms. Kirkpatrick.
“We believe such a special individual should be publicly recognized and commended for his outstanding devotion,” said Dr. Kirk Lewis, Pasadena ISD superintendant. “His spirit and enthusiasm are contagious and will live on forever.”
On Nov. 1, Mayor Johnny Isbell declared that day Walter Woodard Day in a proclamation he read during the Toys for Tots Softball Tournament that has now been renamed the Walter Woodard Toys for Tots Softball Tournament.
Walter loves to receive cards and letters. They can be sent to him at Friendswood Health Care Center, 213 E. Heritage Drive, Friendswood, Tx. 77546.
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