Gary A. Woods

If the value of a life is measured by one's relationships, Gary A. Woods lived one of the most full and rich lives possible. Gary was a devoted husband, an adoring father, an exceptional grandfather, and a loyal and dependable friend. He had a profound effect on all who knew and loved him. He had a reputation of generosity, integrity, leadership and selflessness. Gary lived life to its fullest and enjoyed bareboat sailing to Jimmy Buffett in the Caribbean, Bahamas and South Pacific, skiing blue sky days down Northwoods and Riva Ridge in Vail, Colorado, and world travel to Europe, Russia, China, Egypt and Africa, among other locations. Gary was an avid golfer with memberships at Castle Pines Golf Club and Cherry Hills County Club. He loved the camaraderie of salmon fishing, pheasant hunting and playing poker with his many friends. Most of all, he loved his family and lived a balanced life making plenty of time for building sand castles with his kids in Coronado, California, coaching his son's basketball team for three seasons taking the team from a 0-8 record the first year to an 8-0 championship season in their final year, attending countless early morning swim meets and providing his family with rich life experiences and travel. At the age of 63, Gary passed from this life on July 16, 2009 after a courageous and inspiring two year battle against cancer. His disease never changed his tenacity for life, his personality or his gift with people. Gary was born on October 22, 1945 to William and Frances Woods of Loveland, Colorado. Gary was a self-made professional who graduated from Loveland High School in 1963, the University of Colorado in 1967 and the University of Colorado School of Law in 1970. While at CU, Gary was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and remained an avid Buff fan throughout his life. Gary was a partner of Isaacson, Rosenbaum, Woods and Levy for over 35 years. As a contract attorney, Gary represented prominent developers and contractors for many of the largest office buildings in downtown Denver, Aspen's Little Nell Hotel, and Pebble Beach's Spanish Bay Hotel and Golf Course. Over the last decade, Gary partnered with the Bradbury family in developing real estate, including the Lincoln Station transit village which was recognized this year as office project of the year by NAIOP. During this time, Gary also served as General Counsel to Castle Pines Golf Club and contributed countless pro-bono hours to the Colorado Golf Association in their acquisition and development of Common Ground golf course. Gary is well respected by all who worked with him and is especially known as a patient and devoted mentor to others entering his profession and within his community. Gary is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Sandra Woods, his daughter, Stephanie Stewart who lives in Greenwood Village, Colorado with her husband Andrew, five year old daughter Riley, three year old son Tanner and is expecting another boy in September, and his son, Michael Woods who lives in Los Altos, California with his wife Kathryn, their three year old son, Matthew, and three month old daughter, Alyson. Gary is also survived by his brother, William Woods of Fort Collins, and sister, Sharyl Harston of Denver. Services will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Greenwood Community Church, 5600 E. Belleview Avenue, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family is asking that a tax deductible donation be made to the Gary and Sandra Woods Charitable Fund, c/o Denver Foundation, 55 Madison, 8th Floor, Denver, Colorado 80206. Donations received by the family will be used for educational scholarships and to give back to the local community that Gary so cherished. Please share your memories of Gary and condolences with his family by selecting the ""sign guestbook"" button below.