Staff Sgt. Gary Lee Woods Jr., 24, of Lebanon Junction, Kentucky. SSG Woods was known by his middle name "Lee". Throughout his life, he strived to do the best at any challenge given to him. He was a talented musician who sang and played many instruments, he loved drawing, fishing and camping. He graduated from Bullitt Central High School in 2002. His basic training was completed close to home, at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and he graduated as a 19k Tanker in June 2003. Lee completed two previous tours of duty in Iraq assigned to 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment, and was deployed on his third tour in September 2008, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colorado. He was one of five soldiers killed when their military vehicle was struck by a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in Mosul, Iraq. He was set to come home in the fall and move to Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was looking forward to being closer to his family. Lee is survived by his mother and stepfather Becky and Pat Johnson of Indianapolis, his father and stepmother Gary and Debbie Woods of Lebanon Junction, KY, his wife Christie Woods of Shepherdsville, KY, his sisters Britteny and Heather Woods and Mandy Maraman, his brothers Courtney, Troy Woods, and Newman and Corey Johnson, and his grandmother, Nancy Ratliff.
Tributes
Leave a tributeI will Never Ever Forget You!!
I never personally knew you, but have always felt like I do! You and my son are the same age, but you already knew that ..I remember how I used to share, my daily happenings, with you and keep you updated on my son, when he was in Iraq and Afghanistan! It sure helped me get through those tours...you were my best listener! Hope your having the best party, up there in Heaven!! I love your momma and I'm so glad you keep watch over her, each day!! She's pretty darn awesome!! Remember Lee, I will Never Forget You!! Love, Donna!!
Happy 39th Birthday. I have become very close friends with your mom, and through that I feel as if I have come to know you very well. You are loved and missed by so many each and every day, and there are so many standing with your mother, making sure that you and others whom have made the ultimate sacrifice are Never Forgotten. Rest in Peace, sweet Hero, and play your guitar and sing your songs along with the Angels and celebrate your birthday ❤️
You are a hero, SSG Woods, and someday I will greet you face to face and express my deep respect for you.
Until then, rest easy warrior.
❤
rest easy soldier...you duty is done
we now have the watch
Mike Oliver
New Orleans Ride Captain
Patriot Guard Riders
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about you! My heart hurts and weighs so heavy. I was supposed to be driving that truck, and at the last moment (literally), I was pulled for a medical examination and replaced by you. Tears roll down my face every time I think about that day.
I am at a loss for words, but I wanted to leave something short to let you know that I think about you and pray for you and your family daily. It was more than an honor to have served with you. You were a terrific man, outstanding soldier, and a NCO who was capable of anything.
You are truly missed and this world will never be the same without you.
We will meet again, my brother!
Phillip Boulais
~Diana from NJ
Leave a Tribute
I will Never Ever Forget You!!
I never personally knew you, but have always felt like I do! You and my son are the same age, but you already knew that ..I remember how I used to share, my daily happenings, with you and keep you updated on my son, when he was in Iraq and Afghanistan! It sure helped me get through those tours...you were my best listener! Hope your having the best party, up there in Heaven!! I love your momma and I'm so glad you keep watch over her, each day!! She's pretty darn awesome!! Remember Lee, I will Never Forget You!! Love, Donna!!
Happy 39th Birthday. I have become very close friends with your mom, and through that I feel as if I have come to know you very well. You are loved and missed by so many each and every day, and there are so many standing with your mother, making sure that you and others whom have made the ultimate sacrifice are Never Forgotten. Rest in Peace, sweet Hero, and play your guitar and sing your songs along with the Angels and celebrate your birthday ❤️
Lee and the Governor
Lee was home for Christmas from Fort Carson after his first tour of duty in Iraq. We received tickets for a University of KY basketball game and drove to Lexington. It was a beautiful sunny day and we found a parking spot right across the street from Rupp Arena. We agreed that this was a sign that it was going to be a good day!
Our seats weren't great, but the game was real exciting and we saw a lot of three pointers and dunks, which we both liked. UK started pulling away in the second half and some fans started heading for the exits, so Lee and I moved down for a closer view. We found seats a few rows from courtside and watched the final minutes of the game from there.
When the final buzzer sounded, we stood and applauded with the remaining crowd. A man in the row in front of us turned to leave and I recognized him as the Governor of KY, Ernie Fletcher, who I had met the year before at a barbeque for the KY Colonels organization. He smiled at me, stuck out his hand and said "Good to see you, again!" I was stunned, but managed to say "Governor" and nodded at him. Then I turned to Lee and said, "This is my son, Lee. He's home on leave from the Army. He just returned from Iraq."
Governor Fletcher grabbed Lee's hand with one hand and put the other on Lee's shoulder and thanked him for his service. He then walked up the steps toward the exit, without stopping to talk to anyone else.
Lee, turned to me and asked, "Governor? You know the Governor?" I was so proud that day. Not just that Mr. Fletcher remembered me, but that I got to share my son, my hero, with the Governor of KY. We walked out of the arena, back to the car, remarked about the great parking spot and again agreed, it was a very good day!