Funeral services for Eric Paul Woods, 26, were held 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at Johnston Evangelical Free Church, 9901 NW 62nd Avenue in Johnston, Iowa. Burial with Military Rites followed the service at McDivitt Grove Cemetery @ 70th Street & Meredith Drive in Urbandale, Iowa. Eric died in service to his country in Tal `Afar, Iraq. At the time of his death, he was driving a M113 ambulance; providing aid to a fallen soldier; Spc. Hoby Frank Bradfield, Jr. His family and friends are very proud of his bravery and sacrifice.
Visitation was Monday, July 18, 2005 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the church.

As a youth, Eric was active with his youth group at Westchester Evangelical Free Church and participated in little league sports. Eric was an avid golfer, enjoyed spending time with his friends, playing poker and most of all, playing with his son, Eric Scott.

He was a 1997 graduate of Urbandale High School where he wrestled, played football and baseball. He attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. While in Ames, he worked as a manager for Krause Gentle Company.

After moving to Omaha, he continued his work for Krause Gentle Company before becoming the owner of Budget Blinds of Omaha. After he sold Budget Blinds of Omaha, he was a manager for McCopco, Inc. But, his most recent career path was serving as a Combat Medic with the US Army. Eric attended basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and advanced training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

In November of 2004, Eric reported to Fort Carson, Colorado where he was assigned to G Troop 2/3 ACR. Eric was deployed to Iraq in March of 2005. During his short time in Iraq PFC Woods' awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (with Valor) & Combat Medic Badge concerning aid provided SGT Jeremy Wolfsteller on the battle field, another Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with Valor), Purple Heart, Arcom Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War in Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Action Badge and the Army Service Ribbon.

He will be missed by his wife of seven years, Jamie Marie (Brooks) Woods and son Eric Scott Woods of Omaha NE; parents Charles Paul & Janis Kaye (Grothe) Woods of Urbandale IA; brothers Matthew Allan Woods of Urbandale IA and Brian Christopher (Kyle Marie Davis) Woods of Minneapolis MN; sister Amy Nicole Woods of Urbandale IA; grandparents Walter LeRoy & Gladys Natalia (Sellner) Grothe and Charles Jobe & Verla Elaine (Adams) Woods of Urbandale IA; uncles and aunts Charles Eugene & Sherri Marie (Woods) Saul of Des Moines IA, Eric Jay & Laura Lynn (Grothe) Bistrow of Scottsdale AZ, Drs. Ronald LeRoy & Rayna M. (Maring) Grothe of Rochester MN, Sheila Ann Woods of Ann Arbor MI; cousins Kimberlae Saul & David Opdyke of New York NY, Keary Saul of Iowa City IA, Sara Bistrow of Washington D.C., Charles Michael Saul of Des Moines IA, Elizabeth Bistrow of Scottsdale AZ, Ryan, Kevin, and Thomas Grothe of Rochester MN, and Danielle, Tyler, Courtney Betts of Ann Arbor MI and second cousin Quinn Saul Opdyke of New York NY plus many other family and friends.
Eric joined the United States Army in April 2004. His short term goal was to become a Combat Medic, to serve his country and when finished with his service, continue college to further his medical career. He attended the United States Army's Basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri April 15 through June 17, 2004 graduating with Delta Company, 1st Platoon, 3-10 Infantry Battalion; 91W Combat Medic training in Fort Sam Houston Texas June 21 through October 13, 2004 graduating with distinction with Class 13-01, Echo Company, 232nd Medical Battalion where he graduated in the top 1 percent of his class of approximately 350 soldiers; and was ultimately assigned to Grim Troop, 2nd (Saber) Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry (Brave Rifles) Regiment (3ACR) in Fort Carson, Colorado. The entire 3ACR was deployed to Iraq in March 2005. Saber Squadron's initial mission was in Tal `Afar, Iraq. Eric earned the Bronze Star (with valor) & Combat Field Medic Badge for his part in providing medical aid to SGT Jeremy Wolfsteller on June 25, 2005.

Officiates: Reverends Doug Corlew of Summit Evangelical Free Church in Alta, Iowa and Don Long of Westchester Evangelical Free Church in Des Moines, Iowa

Musicians: Long time family friends Tom Brown (vocal), Cathy Fay (vocal) and Dr. Jim Boltz (piano)

Pallbearers: Dave Edwards, Nate Funk, Vikan Koundakjian, Tim Oliver-Peters, Michael Saul, and Brad Van Horn

Military at Funeral:
BG Sheila Baxter General Officer
COL John Ellison Chaplin
LTC Gregory Hapgood, Jr. Notified NOK - IA
MAJ Troy Paisley COA - Omaha
MAJ Unknown BG Driver
CPT Mitchell Kusmier Speaker
CPT Doug Leonard Flag folder
1LT Adam Zubro Aide de Camp for BG
MSGT Steven Shivers Bugler's Aid & Family Friend
SFC Altman Rifle squad
SFC Jeff Duwa Flag folder
SFC Greene Flag folder
SFC Curt Slinger Flag folder
SFC Scott Wise COA - Des Moines
SSG Amanda Follett Rifle squad
SSG John Hardy Rifle squad
SSG Cynthia Stephanofsky Rifle squad
SGT Rory Haitz Rifle squad
SGT Steve Hitchcock Escort
SGT Michelle Willenborg Rifle squad
PFC Michael Greiner Rifle squad
A1C Carl Eitzen Bugler

Funeral Services: Brooks Funeral Care, 7075 University Avenue, Clive, Iowa by Bob and Mary Jo Brooks, Owner, Funeral Directors, and most importantly Jamie's uncle and aunt.

Chuck Woods, Father