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Biography

Ernest Russell Woodford was born on February 8, 1912, in Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa, and passed away on March 13, 1987, in Dallas, Collin County, Texas. He was laid to rest at Cedar Memorial Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, returning home to the community where his life began.

Family Background

Ernest was the son of Leota Mae Lodge (1893–1987) and Elbert Dwight Woodford. Ernest grew up with siblings Virgil Dwight Woodford (1913–2012), Clinton Ray Woodford (1916–1992), and Gladys Fonda Woodford.

Marriage and Children

On September 20, 1930, Ernest married Elnora Luceille Lovell (1913–1959). Together they built a family, having at least three children: Sally June Woodford, David Scott Woodford, Lynda Mae Woodford, and living Woodford. The family also experienced profound tragedy when their infant son, David S. Woodford, just three months old, was accidentally smothered to death in his crib at their home at 214 First Avenue W on a Tuesday morning when he became entangled in blankets. Ernest later married Georgia Louise Loveless, and together they had a child, Leota Rose Woodford.

Early Employment

Before his military service, Ernest worked as an employee at Penick and Ford, where he was a member of Federal Labor Union No. 18619 as of May 28, 1938. This early work experience demonstrated his commitment to both his profession and organized labor during the challenging years of the Great Depression.

Military Service

Ernest proudly served as a SeaBee (Construction Battalion) during World War II, contributing to the Navy’s vital infrastructure builds—airfields, bases, and bridges across Pacific theaters. He was stationed in New Guinea and returned home with a collection of butterflies he captured and preserved. SeaBees embodied “Can Do” spirit, often under combat conditions, aligning with Ernest’s Iowa work ethic. As a boatswain’s mate (1/c), he returned to Camp Peary, Virginia, after spendiday leave with his wife and two daughters. On August 13, 1944, he was promoted from Boatswain’s Mate (1/c) to Chief Petty Officer in The Seabees in New Guinea

Postwar Employment

After returning from military service, Ernest pursued various occupations in Cedar Rapids. On October 22, 1950, he worked as a Steel Farm Buildings Erector, serving as a supplier of Howard Steel Farm Buildings. During this same time period he also took a position as a barman at the Brass Rail, located at 121 First Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids.

Career at Collins Radio

Following his postwar employment, Ernest worked for Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, a pioneer in aviation radios, radar, and early satellite technology (later known as Rockwell Collins). In about 1961 he relocated to Texas which became his Collins homebase, and where he lived out his retirement until his death. As a construction superintendent, he traveled around the world working on construction projects. Much of his work appears to have been classified, and he shared few details about his assignments. During this era of rapid technological advancement, communication systems were being expanded for space exploration as the United States engaged in the space race, and it is quite possible his work was related to these cutting-edge developments.

Burial and Legacy

Ernest Russell Woodford’s memorial at Cedar Memorial Cemetery in Cedar Rapids reflects his Iowa roots and the place he called home throughout his life. While photographs are restricted and public records about his later life and occupation remain limited, genealogical research sites like FamilySearch and MyHeritage provide valuable traces of his life’s journey. His legacy lives on through his descendants and the memories preserved by those who knew him—a man who served his country with distinction, worked on pioneering technological projects, and maintained deep ties to his Cedar Rapids community.

Related

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Ancestry.com, U.S., World War II Navy Muster Rolls, entries for Ernest R. Woodford, including service in the U.S. Naval Construction Battalions (SeaBees) and promotions during World War II.

Ancestry.com, U.S. Federal Census collections and Cedar Rapids city directories, documenting residence in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, employment at Penick and Ford, and later work as a steel farm building erector and barman.

Ancestry.com, Iowa death records and Texas death indexes, confirming birth on 8 February 1912 in Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa, and death on 13 March 1987 in Dallas, Collin County, Texas.

Ancestry.com, U.S., Find a Grave Index and linked memorial for Ernest Russell Woodford, citing burial at Cedar Memorial Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa.

FamilySearch, profile for Ernest Russell Woodford (with linked parents Elbert Dwight Woodford and Leota Mae Lodge, spouses Elnora Luceille Lovell and Georgia Louise Loveless, and children including Sally June, David Scott, Lynda Mae, and Leota Rose.

MyHeritage family trees and records, entries for Ernest Russell Woodford and family, providing corroborating dates, relationships, and locations in Iowa and Texas.

“Cedar Rapids Gazette” (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), various issues, including: labor notices listing Federal Labor Union No. 18619 and Penick and Ford employees; World War II service notes and promotion items for Boatswain’s Mate Ernest R. Woodford in the SeaBees; postwar local news and advertisements referencing employment as a steel farm building erector and barman at the Brass Rail, 121 First Avenue SE; and death notices and memorial items relating to Ernest Russell Woodford and his family.