David O. Woodyard

A memorial service celebrating the life of David O. Woodyard of Granville will be held at 2 PM, Sunday June 8, 2025 at Swasey Chapel, located on the campus of Denison University, 200 Chapel Drive, Granville, Ohio 43023

David, died Thursday March 27th, a month before his 93rd birthday. He was an esteemed Professor of Religion at Denison University, where he was once a student, then chaplain and teacher, then professor for more than six decades. Dr. Woodyard was still involved in teaching on campus until weeks before his death. He loved nothing more than working with students, often forming close and long-lasting relationships —generations of Denison students remember him when they think back on their college years.

Woodyard was born in Oak Park, Illinois to Denison alumnus and trustee Wilfred Cole Woodyard (class of 1916) and alumna Sara (Taylor) Woodyard. His father died when David was eleven, and from that point he was raised by both his mother and his older sister Sara Jane (“Sally”) Davidson, who was twelve years older than David. He was always grateful to have been taken under the wing of his father’s good friend in Oak Park, G. Herbert Shorney, another Denison alumnus whose son George became David’s 1954 classmate.

It was in college that he met lovely Martha Joanne Adamson of Dayton, Ohio, from the class of 1955. Joanne was the love of his life, and they married just days after she graduated. This year marked their 70th wedding anniversary.

The couple moved to New York, where David earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary, then took a job in 1958 as Director of the University of Connecticut’s Christian Fellowship in Storrs, Connecticut. By 1960, David and Joanne were excited to return to Granville, where David became the new chaplain for their alma mater. In addition to preaching and counseling students, David also taught classes in Religion, and in 1974, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School. He served twice as Chair of the Faculty and in numerous committees and other capacities through the years, shaping the university as well as the greater communities of Granville and Newark.

He authored ten books throughout his career, reflecting his teaching emphasis on Christian theology’s place in human identity and human rights. Woodyard was known to be an advocate of putting one’s beliefs into action, and his experiences through the tumultuous 1960s and 70s informed his commitment to the relevant ideals of Black and liberation theology, which inspired many of his most promising students and has informed their adult lives. This living fruit of his teaching is surely what David would have held as his life’s greatest contribution and legacy.

Preceded in death by his parents, his sister Sally and her son Woody, and last year by his daughter, Dr. Kim Ann Woodyard, David is survived by his beloved wife Joanne of Middleton in Granville, and daughter Sara Jane Woodyard of Richmond, Virginia. Also surviving are his niece Mary Davidson McWilliams and nephew John Davidson.

Plans for David Woodyard's memorial service will be posted here once they are finalized.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either of these important causes: The Mr. & Mrs. W.C. Woodyard Memorial Scholarship fund, which provides financial support for Denison University students. Visit denison.edu/woodyard. Checks may be mailed to Denison University PO Box 2007, Mount Vernon, OH 43050-7207. The Food Pantry Network of Licking County, a private non-profit organization feeding our neighbors facing food insecurity for more than 40 years. Checks made out to Food Pantry Network of Licking County can be sent to 1035 Brice Street, Newark, OH 43055