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Leonard Woodward papers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSS 8668

Content Description

Contains materials relating to the life of Leonard Woodward and his participation in and contributions to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) organization, particularly in Utah and the Utah National Parks Council of the BSA. Also includes photographs documenting recipients of the BSA's highest adult award from 1943-1975. Materials dated 1928-2010.

Dates

  • 1928-2010

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Leonard Woodward papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Leonard A. "Woody" Woodward (1911-2010) was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America association for 87 years and a ham radio enthusiast.

Leonard A. "Woody" Woodward was born on October 14, 1911, to Carrie Esp Woodward and Landis Woodward in Coffeyville, Kansas. They later moved to Sand Springs, Oklahoma. In 1918, at age 8, Woody built his own radio out of scrap automobile parts. After discovering a Boy Scouts of America pamphlet and registering as a Pioneer Scout (since he lived too far away from any organized troop), he and a friend organized one of the first Cub Scout packs in the United States, getting their materials from the parent organization in the UK. This pack was influential in the process of the Cub Scout program being implemented into the existing National Boy Scout Association. Woody married Rhoda Mae Simpson of Raton, New Mexico on May 1, 1934. They had three children. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple in 1957. Rhoda passed away in April 1987. Leonard later married Sarah Ann Hawkins who also preceded him on February 18, 2006. On February 20, 2008, Woody married Doreen Buttery at age 96. They both made statewide and national news when she was kept from leaving Canada after their honeymoon there due to complications with the immigration office. She was allowed to return to the United States just before Christmas of that year. Woody worked at Brigham Young University as an administrative supervisor until the time of his retirement. He continued to be a ham radio enthusiast for his entire life, making connections all over the world until he was known all over the world as an unofficial ambassador of America and Scouting through his radio contacts. Woody remained a registered Scouter for 87 years, making him the longest continually registered Scouter ever. In 2010, as the oldest Boy Scout in America, he opened and closed the ceremonies of the largest Eagle Scout court of honor ever. It was held during the Stadium of Fire showcase in Provo, Utah, on Independence Day, honoring over 260 new Eagle Scouts.

Woody passed away six months later, on December 25, 2010, in St. George, Utah.

Extent

1 box (0.5 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Materials purchased from the family of Leonard Woodward by Craig McDaniel and subsequently donated to the L. Tom Perry Special Collections department in 2015.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Craig McDaniel; 2015.

Appraisal

Utah and the American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th century Western & Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, 5.VII, 2007).

Processing Information

Processed; Clarissa McIntire, student manuscript processor, and John M. Murphy, curator; 2015.

Title
Register of Leonard Woodward papers
Status
Completed
Author
Clarissa McIntire
Date
2015 February 3
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States