David Randolph Woodward, 92, of Bald Mountain Ranch, Tyrone, N.M. passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at his ranch home after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his family.

David was born on September 14, 1929 in Silver City, N.M. to his parents, Marvel Pack Woodward and Walter Wellington Woodward. He was the youngest child and had four siblings: Frank, Helen (Ranger), Richard, and Nina Mae (Waldie). Prior to his death, David was the only surviving immediate family member. David and his siblings grew up on the Woodward homestead, established in 1898 by David’s grandfather, J.C. Woodward. David spent his entire life ranching and mining. He graduated from Teachers High School in 1947 in Silver City and then attended New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts (now known as NMSU), earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture (Animal Husbandry) in 1951. He earned letters in football and track in high school and while in college.

While attending New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts (NM A & M), David was a scholarship recipient, a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, Alpha Zeta Honorary Agricultural fraternity, and a member of ROTC. He then served time in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956, stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas, Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and at various U.S. Army bases in Japan. There he worked for an engineering company in Kyoto and on hydroponic farms raising vegetables for the troops. He climbed Mt. Fugi while stationed in Japan as well as earned a black belt in judo. David served in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1962. After returning from Japan, David met and later married Joan Mahler in 1958 at the First United Methodist Church in Silver City. He and Joan recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. They had three children, Jennifer, Susan, and William.  David had a heavy equipment business along with the full-time ranching business. He built roads and stock tanks for various ranching and mining businesses as well as created home sites for folks in Silver City. He also worked with local miners conducting heavy equipment assessment work for mining claims around the Grant County area. He worked with local builders to help create the Tyrone townsite and help build the mill at the Tyrone mine. David was a cooperator with the Grant Soil and Water Conservation District and won the Good Year Conservation Award in 1981. David was also a member of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association and was awarded the New Mexico section of the Society for Range Management - Excellence in Grazing in 1982.

David is survived by his wife, Joan (Mahler); daughters, Jennifer Ware (Chris), Susan Garrison (Gary); and son, Bill Woodward (Zelda Greco). Grandchildren include Wayne Wills, Joanna Whitaker, Wellington Woodward, Ninnettia Woodward, Matthew Garrison, Walter Woodward, Kathryn Woodward, Danni Woodward Gavrielides (Jake), Zachary Ware and Joshua Ware. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Barbara Ranger Guber, Richard Ranger, Gigi Ranger Ellis, Rolland Waldie, Howard Waldie, Mary Waldie Vigil, their children and grandchildren. Additional nieces and nephews include Don Parker, Bonnie Parker Sabin, Elsie Parker, Dan Kennett, Laura Crosby Meyer, Rachel Crosby Wagner, Carol Crosby-Read, their children and grandchildren. David is also survived by cousin, Betty Pack. David was a hard working, honorable man of his word. He will be greatly missed.

Cremation has been entrusted to Baca's Funeral Chapels. A family memorial service will be celebrated at a later date.