Vernest Howard Woodie

Vernest Howard Woodie, or  “Woodie” as he was called by his friends, 61, of Topeka passed away on Monday, October 23rd, 2023. Woodie was born on June 18th, 1962 at Forbes Field in Topeka, Kansas. He attended school in Topeka before his family moved to Alabama. Later, he moved to Germany when he was 16 and lived with his sister, Debra (Woodie) Rigdon and her family. Woodie joined the United States Army in 1980, and served in many countries, including Egypt before he was discharged in 1982. Upon returning[U1]  to Topeka, he met and married Jeanne Rae Kettler and her daughter, Amanda Lee Gorman, in 1987. They would later divorce, but remain friends. In 2001, Amanda gave birth to his only grandson, Isaiah Michael Bonjour, whom he cherished. He loved watching Isaiah mature into a kind and caring young man, just like his Papa Wood.

Woodie was very proud of his service as a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne and had many jumps during his tenure. In his post-service life, he worked as a carpenter and plumber. He lived life to the fullest and was known for his quick wit, his infectious laugh and his kind & compassionate spirit. He loved his dog, Bella, until she passed at age 17 in 2022.

He was loved by Jeanne’s & Amanda’s friends, from childhood into adulthood. He was known as Woodie Woodpecker by many of them, He is preceded in death by his parents, sister and Billy Rigdon, his nephew. He will be missed by his numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and his nephew, Ben Rigdon.

Visitation will be held from 11-12pm at Davidson Funeral Home, 1035 North Kansas Avenue, on Saturday, November 4th. A Memorial Service with Military Honors will follow. Memorial Contributions can be made to S.C.A.R.S. (Second Chance Animal Refuse Society) P.O. Box 22, Auburn, KS. 66402. To view a livestream of the service, please click here