Stephen H Woodard

Stephen (Steve) Hugh Woodard, 78, died surrounded by family at his home in Mesa, Arizona on September 7, 2026 after a brief hospitalization.

Steve was born in Circle, Montana in June 1948 and adopted by John and Lee Woodard who raised him as an only child. He lived in California, Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico before graduating as Valedictorian of Alchesay High School in Whiteriver, Arizona. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University in 1971. Following his graduation, Steve married his first wife, Susan Elizabeth Furedy (divorced 1980). Steve and Susan then immigrated to Alberta, Canada where Steve worked as a sales engineer for audio measuring equipment and teaching audiology at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus. For several years Steve was the owner-operator of a truck that transported sailboats and yachts based out of Los Angeles, CA. This was his favorite job because it allowed him to drive across the country and experience the open road. In 1981, he moved back to the Valley, marrying Paulette and beginning a family. Steve then went to work for Air Research, which is now known as Honeywell, in Phoenix where he spent over 30 years designing and manufacturing gas turbine engines. His talents saw him traveling all over the world to perform quality checks at numerous subcontractor plants. After retirement, Steve found contentment and cooler temperatures at the family cabin in Forest Lakes, Arizona.

Steve was predeceased by his biological mother Adeliade M. (Evans) Smith, biological father Gordon K. Smith, adoptive father John H. Woodard, adoptive mother Lela Jean (Evans) Woodard and biological siblings. He is survived by his wife Paulette Kay (Gundry) Woodard, son Michael John Woodard, Michael’s children Cora, Alice and Lucy Woodard, and his son Hayden Kay Woodard (partner Jessiey Reidy). Steve was fully involved with his wife’s two children from her previous marriage: sons Jason C. Furedy (wife Paige D. D. Singer), their children Asher and Gundry Furedy, and Joseph C. Furedy (wife Carrie) and their children Julia and Colin Furedy. Steve is also survived by his biological sister Delores Thompson and sister-in-law Kathleen Gundry.

There are no plans for a public service at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations in Steve’s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society or the National Parks Conservation Association.