Duane Alan Woodliff

Judge Duane Alan Woodliff, 82, died in Edmond, OK, on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Judge Woodliff was born on November 7, 1941 in Norman, OK, to Law Kirk Woodliff and Mary Lou Woodliff. He lived most of his life in Henryetta, OK, with his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 62 years, F. Eloise (Hull) Woodliff.

Judge Woodliff graduated from Henryetta High School in 1959, where he excelled academically, and in football, basketball, and speech. He was an Eagle Scout, and Order of Arrow, Vigil. In 1963, he graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a B.B.A, then obtained his Juris Doctor at the OU College of Law in 1966. During this time, he served as an Editor of the Oklahoma Law Review and the Advocate yearbook and was a member of the Board of Governors College of Law. He was also a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. After graduation, Judge Woodliff proudly served as a Captain in the U.S. Army JAGC, Army Security Agency, in Asmara, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Fort Ord, CA, until 1970. From 1967 to 1968, he taught Business Law for the University of Maryland, European Division.

Judge Woodliff returned to Henryetta in 1970 and served the community in his general practice of law until 2001. During this time, he also served as the city's Municipal Judge from 1975 to 2001; a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association's Board of Governors (1985-1987) and Professional Responsibility Tribunal (l987-1993); and a member of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation (1989-1991). He was awarded the Clarence Darrow Award from the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in 1985, for his zealous criminal defense advocacy. In 2001, he was appointed and served as Special District Judge for Okmulgee County. He served in this role until 2006, when he was elected and began serving as Associate District Judge. He stepped down from the bench in 2014. As an ancillary duty-and one of his most proud career accomplishments-he established and presided over the Okmulgee County Drug Court, the Anna McBride Mental Health Court, and the Family Drug Treatment Court. Following his retirement, Judge Woodliff served as a volunteer attorney for Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, from 2015 to 2016, and was recognized by Legal Aid as one of the Oklahoma Outstanding Pro Bono Attorneys of 2016.

Growing up in Henryetta, Judge Woodliff received early instruction in the importance of family, faith and community from his parents. He lived his life believing that to give is to receive, and aspired to always serve with truth, honor, integrity, and compassion. He was passionate about civic duty and served as President of the Board of Directors of the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce (1975-1976); President of the Board of Directors of the Lions Club (1977); and a founding Officer and member of the Board of Directors of the Henryetta Education Foundation and the Henryetta Medical Foundation. He was selected as Henryettan of the Year in 1976. He also served on the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board from l994 to 2000. He was a lifelong Catholic and served many years on the Parish Board at St. Michael Catholic Church in Henryetta. Above all, Judge Woodliff was immersed mostly in his love for family. He was a proud husband, father and Papa. He had a clear moral compass and was a committed champion and voice of encouragement and reason. His actions taught more than his words. He was a creator of shared experiences that focused on family togetherness. He had a lifelong love of Lake Tenkiller-a place he treasured-and he spent endless hours fostering family connection and a sense of adventure that will live on for generations.

Judge Woodliff is survived by his wife, F. Eloise (Hull) Woodliff. He is also survived by his three children, Scott L. Woodliff, and wife Tammy of Edmond; Leslie A. Reddick and husband Bradley of Edmond; and Kirk A. Woodliff and wife Tricia of Sparks, NV; as well as grandchildren Lindsey Dashner and husband Matthew, Matthew Woodliff and wife Triana, Sara Likes and husband Jonathan, Katie Shidell, Madison Reddick Smyser and husband Craig, Ryal Reddick, Austin Woodliff, and Cassidy Woodliff; and great grandchildren, Alexis Woodliff, Collins Dashner, Campbell Dashner, Dawson Woodliff, Coulter Likes and Theodore Leslie Smyser. He is also survived by his brother, Lance Woodliff and wife Jane, sister Gail Foster and husband Larry, and sister Kay Ward and husband Jay; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents Law Kirk Woodliff and Mary Lou Woodliff; and granddaughter Lucy Woodliff.

A Memorial Mass and celebration is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 9th, 2024 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 1004 W. Gentry, Henryetta, OK. A reception will follow at the Reception Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following organizations in memory of Duane Woodliff:

Okmulgee County Drug Court, Attn: Lisa Laughlin, 314 W. 7th St., Room 106A, Okmulgee, OK, 74447

Henryetta Education Foundation, c/o Dirk Palmer, Cornerstone CPA's, 523 W. Main, Henryetta, OK,74437

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma https://www.regionalfoodbank.org

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