John Y. Woodruff |
| Posted 2009-05-28 by Fountain Hills Times |
| John Y. Woodruff Sr., resident of Fountain View Village, peacefully departed this life in the early morning hours of Oct. 30, 2007, with his wife, Rose, at his side. He is in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior. John, the son of Silas and Sarah Woodruff and the grandson of ex-slaves, was born on July 5, 1915, in Connellsville, Pa. After graduating from Connellsville High School, he applied for a job at a local glass factory but, because of his race, was turned away. Ironically, this indignity turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Because John had demonstrated such prodigious talent as a track runner in high school, the University of Pittsburgh offered him a full athletic scholarship. With only 25 cents in his pocket, the sheriff of his hometown drove John to the University of Pittsburgh to begin his new life. In 1939, John received his bachelor’s degree in sociology. He later went on to earn a master’s degree in sociology at New York University in 1941. During his tenure, John brought national and international recognition to his alma mater. As a 21-year-old freshman at the University of Pittsburgh, John earned the right to represent the United States in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games held in Berlin, Germany. With his fabled 9-foot stride, “Long John” out ran his competition and won a gold medal in the 800-meter race. Upon his return to the States, John continued to distinguish himself as a true champion by winning every race he competed in after the Olympic Games including the NCAA 800-meter race in 1937, ‘38, ‘39; the ICAAAA 400- and 800-meter race three years in succession; the 800-meters at the Pan American Games and the National AAU Track Meet. In recognition of his outstanding athletic accomplishments, John has been named to the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame and was the first person to be inducted into the Fayette County Freedom Hall of Fame. Notably, John was the last surviving Gold Medalist of the 1936 Olympic Games and, since 1982, has sponsored the John Woodruff 5K run/walk, which has raised thousands of dollars that go to fund scholarships for students in his hometown of Connellsville. John served his country in World War II and the Korean War, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He was an ROTC instructor at West Virginia State College and, in his civilian life, worked for the New York City Children’s Aid Society and taught school. Also, he was a special investigator for the New York Department of Welfare, a recreational center director for the New York City Police Athletic League and a parole officer for the City of New York. Woodruff was also a sales representative for Shefflin Distributors and retired as a manager for the Job Corp. In 1942, John married Hattie Mae Davis; deceased. From this union daughter Randi Gilliam of Chicago and son John Jr. of New York City were born. While working in Indianapolis, John met and subsequently married Rose Ella King in 1970. Over the course of 37 years of marriage, John and his devoted wife have lived in Sacramento, Calif. and East Windsor, N.J. After retirement, John and Rose moved to Fountain View Village of Fountain Hills in 2002. John was a legendary track star, but he was truly more than that. He was a deeply religious man, a man of great strength and determination, a man who tried to make a difference in the lives of others and, to some, he was a hero. He will be greatly missed by family, friends and main caregivers for several years. John leaves his wife of 37 years, Rose; daughter, Randi; son, John; grandchildren Hope, Alexis, Leslie, Dalila and Jelani; daughter-in-law Dafua; brother-in-law William; great-grandchildren; and many friends and extended family to cherish his memory. A memorial service was held Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007, at Fountain View Village Independent Living Chapel. Fountain Hills Times November 7, 2007. |
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