Arnold Woodard

Apr 30, 1941 -

Aug 7, 2025

Arnold J. Woodard was born on April 30, 1941, to Clinton "Bud" E. Woodard and Catherine "Caye" V. Woodard in Seattle, Wash. Arnold died on Aug. 7, 2025, in Prescott, Ariz.

Arnold graduated from Lincoln High School in 1959. While in Seattle he attended Edmonds Community College and North Seattle Community College, where he earned AAS in fire science. During this time Arnold also pursued music, playing the saxophone, clarinet and bongos in a local Seattle band called the Majestics, playing gigs while in college.

Arnold began to build a family, first marrying Noel (Wilson) Woodard in 1962, where they welcomed their daughter Tara (Jeff) Heimans, then their son Jon Woodard. Arnold worked as a firefighter for King County WA Fire District 4. Arnold later became union journeyman carpenter, which became his career.

Arnold and family moved to Alaska in 1969, to work in the family business, Woodard Construction, growing from a residential company into an enterprise completing a number of construction projects including military installations, post offices, schools, churches, commercial buildings, office complexes, banks and warehouses throughout Alaska for over three decades. While in Alaska, Arnold and family enjoyed time camping, fishing and golfing, and pursued his main interest as an accomplished sprint dog musher for over 25 years.

Arnold later married Kayla (Hutto) Woodard in 1990, and welcomed Kayla's adult daughter Anna Stephens into the family. Arnold and Kayla enjoyed their life together in Alaska, spending many years dog mushing and in the Alaska outdoors. Arnold served as President of the Alaska Sled Dog and Racing Association from 1996-97 and as Vice President from 1997-98.

In the 2000s, Arnold continued his construction career with the Anchorage School District as a Construction Project Inspector, and with the University of Alaska Anchorage as a Project Coordinator before retiring in 2010. During this time Arnold and Kayla began spending time seasonally in Arizona, until they permanently moved there in 2013. Arnold continued his joy of golf in his spare time.

Arnold is survived by his children, Tara, Jon and Anna; current wife, Kayla; former wife, Noel; sister, Catherine Escobar; nieces and nephews, Jerry Jones, Jia Jones, Audrey Hamilin-Burns, Kristina Holdridge; grandchildren, Shane, Manuelito; great-grandchildren, Zane, Vicente and Illias; and other extended family.

Arnold was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Rick Woodard.

Please consider making a donation in his name to the Tunnel To Towers Foundation, https://t2t.org/.