David Murray Woodward's Obituary
David M. Woodward
March 28, 1945 - October 31, 2025
San Diego, California – David M. Woodward passed away October 31, 2025. David was born on March 28, 1945, in Grants Pass, OR to Murray and Ella Mae Woodward. He spent his first eight years of life in Grants Pass, OR, and then moved with his family to Carmichael, CA where he was a proud graduate of La Sierra High School (class of 1963).
After graduating from American River Community College, Sacramento, Ca. (class of 1965), earning an Associate of Arts Degree in Education, David enlisted in the US Navy. He began his naval career on June 24, 1966 at Naval Training Center, San Diego, Ca. David was deeply committed to a career as a submariner and served his country with distinction and pride. He attained the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer Machinist Mate Nuclear Power Submarine Specialist Surface Warfare [MMCS (SS/SW)] before retiring on September 30, 1993. Upon completion of recruit training, he began his Professional Military Education in Leadership, and Advanced Nuclear Education attending a multitude of training and schools including but not limited to; Machinist’s Mate Nuclear Power “A’ School, Nuclear Power School, Prototype Training, Naval Submarine School, and Nuclear Planner School. During his service he engaged in numerous military operations including the Vietnam War, the Gulf War; Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, and the War on Drugs. David spent the majority of his naval career in San Diego serving primarily at the Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL); as a Submarine Group Five and Submarine Squadron Three Nuclear Planner, as a Submarine Nuclear Propulsion Plant Supervisor on the Sturgeon-class submarine, USS Gurnard (SSN 662), two tours; as a Plank Owner (Mare Island, Vallejo, Ca. later home ported in San Diego) and the Decommissioning Crew (CTC), and on the Permit (Thresher)-class Submarines; USS Barb (SSN 596), USS Pollock (SSN 603), and USS Haddo (SSN 604), and as a Nuclear Planner on the Spear-class submarine tender, USS Dixon (AS-37). In addition, he served as a Nuclear Training Recruiter at Naval Training Center, San Diego, and a Nuclear Power Training Instructor at the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Windsor, Ct. In recognition of his dedication and bravery, David was awarded the: Navy Achievement Medal (second award), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy “E” Ribbon (fourth award), Battle Efficiency Award, Engineering Efficiency “E” Award, Good Conduct Medal (sixth award), Vietnam Service Medal (with Bronze Service Star), Southwest Asia Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korean), Armed Services Expeditionary Medal (fifth award), National Defense Service Medal (second award), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (fourth award), Navy Arctic Service Ribbon, and Coast Guard Special Operations Ribbon. During his naval career, David qualified as a submariner by completing an extensive submarine qualification process, and earned the U.S. Navy Submarine Service Insignia (Dolphins). Additionally, he qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) and was awarded the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Insignia. Beyond that, he received certificates as, a Shellback, a Blue Nose, and a Mossback.
Upon retiring from the U.S. Navy, David went on to manage the Wastewater Department for the City of Coronado, Ca., while pursuing and completing an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from San Diego City Community College, an Associate of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering, and Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, San Diego campus. He concluded his professional career as a Planner and Estimator for Naval contracting companies in San Diego.
Following his professional career, David volunteered as a one-on-one tutor in the READ/San Diego program and was active in his community as a Fourth Degree Knight at Our Mother of Confidence Church. He enjoyed traveling, cruising, watching football games, listening to honky-tonk country music, gardening, and spending leisurely afternoons bird watching. In his spare time, he wrote and read poetry with The Village Blacksmith by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow being his favorite, which he loved reciting verbatim.
David is survived by his wife, Kathleen Woodward (he affectionately nicknamed, Kate); daughter Candice (Albert) Nuñez of San Diego, Ca.; brothers John (Marti) Woodward, and Ron (Jane) Woodward of Sacramento, Ca.; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Predeceased by his brother, William Woodward.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 am on Tuesday, January 6th at Our Mother of Confidence Church, 3131 Governor Drive, San Diego. Military Honors will be observed following the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Knights of Columbus, Our Mother of Confidence, Council 9776, San Diego.
What’s your fondest memory of David?
What’s a lesson you learned from David?
Share a story where David's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with David you’ll never forget.
How did David make you smile?