Charles Putnam Woodbury, 76, of Pensacola died Saturday, March 23, 1996, at his home.

He was born in Kansas City, Mo., July 3, 1919. He attended the University of Kansas and the University of Arizona, where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

At the start of World War II, he Joined the Navy as an aviation cadet and later served In the South Pacific theatre as a Marine Corps F-4U Corsair pilot.

Upon completion of his Pacific tour, he returned to NAS Cherry Point and then to NAS New Orleans, where he was assigned to a reserve squadron. He retired from the Marine Corps after 20 years with the rank of major.

While a member of the Second Marine Air Wing (VMF-113), he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Gold Stars, the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation with Bar and Bronze Star accompanied by various theatre and campaign medals.

Mr. Woodbury arrived In Pensacola in 1947 where he began his long and distinguished career. His business interests include: founder, chairman and CEO of American Fidelity Life Insurance Company, founder and CEO of Trans World Assurance Company, founder and chairman of the Warrington Bank; the Bank of the South and First Navy Bank. Other interests include: the Pensacola Grand Hotel, the Dunes Hotel, the Pensacola Beach Holiday Inn, the Holiday Inn at Destin, the Holiday inn at Navarre Beach and the Island House Hotel at Orange Beach, Ala.

Mr. Woodbury chartered Boy Scout Troup #101 in Warrington and was later named the district chairman of the Gulf Coast Council of Boy Scouts. He received the Silver Beaver award, scouting's highest honor for a civilian volunteer.

He was Pensacola's first "Businessman of the Year and in 1957, he was chosen to be Pensacola’s Deluna VIII in the Fiesta of Five Flags. He also served as a charter member and volunteer fireman for the Warrington Volunteer Fire Department.

His memberships include the Navy League, Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, National Association of Life Underwriters, Tailhook Association, Naval Officer's Club, Fiesta of Five Flags, Warrington Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Civitan Club, Pensacola Sports Association, Revellers of Ariola, Society of the Debutants Cotillion, Pensacola Country Club and Pensacola Yacht Club.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Eleanor Gunn Woodbury, and their children: Barbara Woodbury, Nancy Royals, Marilyn Hess and her husband, Don Hess, Charles Putnam "Tod" Woodbury III and William Putnam Woodbury and his wife, Jan Woodbury.

His grandchildren include: Benjamin Woodbury Barksdale, Leigh Taylor, Paige Woodbury and Maggie Woodbury.

Other surviving relatives include his sisters: Timmie Olson and Elizabeth Reaves of Kansas City, Mo; Ann Wood bum of Los Angeles and Marilyn Buchanan of Albuquerque, N.M. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Romaine Sampson and Mary Gunn and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was always deeply committed to his family, his community and his Country.

Pallbearers will be Perry S. Baniakas, L.C. "Louis" Brown, Edward M. Chadbourne Jr., Raymond C. Dyson, Edward W. Head, John H. Hinman, Donald R. Mair, G. Pratt Martin Jr., R.E. "Doc" Mauch, Phillip B. Phillips, William R. Randolph, Capt. John M. Richards, Robert W. Richardson, Rear Admiral Robert Emmett Riera, Alan Rosenbloum, Charles B. Royals, L. Brad Sutherland, Jack B. Yancey and Dr. Henry M. Yonge.

Graveside military services will be held at the Barrancas National Cemetery at the Pensacola Naval Air Station on Monday, March 25 at 11:45 a.m.

FISHER-POU FUNERAL SERVICE is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice or your favorite charity.

Pensacola News Journal, 24Mar1996

https://newspapers.com/clip/96577482/obituary-for-charles-putnam-putnam/

Charles Putnam Woodbury, Jr. (1919)