Woodrow Wilson "Woody" North, 78, a retired Navy (AMCS) Senior Chief Petty Officer, died October 15, 2008 of cancer at his residence in Valley Lee, MD. Born February 21, 1930 in Front Royal, VA he was the son of the late Richard and Annie Thompson North.

He joined the Navy on 18th birthday, and after a long and distinguished Naval career, he and his wife Lois who preceded him in death after 45 years of marriage in 1998, made their home in St. Mary's County in 1969. Senior Chief North had 13 tours of duty on U.S. Naval aircraft carriers. He served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He and his family enjoyed tours of duty at NAAS Whitting Field, FL, Quonset Pt., RI, Hutchinson, KS, Atlantic City, NJ, Hagerstown, MD (recruiter), Jacksonville, FL, Naples, Italy, Patuxent River, MD and Oceana, VA.

After retiring in 1973 he worked for a number of Naval contractors, including Mantech, Dyncorp, Voight and Tracor. He was a member of the Great Mills High School Booster's Club in the 1970's. He was also a member of the Lexington Park Optimists Club in the 1980's. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and bowling and was an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Redskins, Maryland Terrapins and local high school teams.

Survivors include his companion Norvell Mayo, his brother Robert North of Front Royal, VA, his sons Joseph R. North of Callaway, MD, James C. North of Virginia Beach, VA, Jeff A. North of Dallas, TX and his daughters Debra A. Weingarten of Hillsboro, OR and Sue E. North of Pasadena, CA. He is also survived by nine grandchildren; Brad and Kristy Palchinsky, Tara, Justin, Jason, Nicole and Shelby North and Annie and Alex Weingarten.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 18, 2008 from 9:30 – 10:30 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where a funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.

Contributions may be made to Hospice House, C/O Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.