ozarks
roots
the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home
A ‘Fix-it Witch’ By Terry Ropp
Another important early occurrence was meeting Pat Stewart, a classmate and girlfriend since third grade. At 19, marriage was the natural conclusion of a long friendship and courtship. The couple had already started college but Clarence only remained one semester because When Clarence Woodward of Stilwell, Okla., was in third grade, he they wouldn’t allow him to take just business classes, while Pat finished her four-year moved from Red Star, Ark., to an old house on 80 acres outside of Stilwell, degree in three by taking 17 hours each semester and going to summer school. Clarence began working for the Talequah Ford dealOkla., where his father purchased a farm. ership, where he remained for eight years. While his mother Gladys was from KenNext, Clarence worked in the grocery intucky, his dad Earl was pure “Arkie.” dustry for more than 20 years. After hours, His grandparents, John and Mae Woodhe drove a truck for a good friend every ward, had already moved to the area day during strawberry season to varying and lived 5 miles away in Red Bird Holmarkets, including Tulsa and Oklahoma ler where they raised tomatoes and later City, while also repairing tractors regustrawberries and peanuts. larly. Clarence was also a member of the Early on, Clarence showed a strong apNational Guard and the Stilwell unit was titude for fixing things. When he was very ready to go to the Bay of Pigs as the conflict young, his grandfather became frustrated elevated though fortunately the situation when the television didn’t work. Clarence abated as they were preparing to leave. got a hold of a couple of old TVs and used During the grocery years, the couple the three to make one that worked using adopted three children. his grandfather’s TV as the base. John was Clarence’s love of equipment and repair so sure the young boy couldn’t possibly fix and restoration continued throughout his a television that he first refused to turn it life, with him still restoring tractors today. on. When repairing, he would go on-site to see When John discovered the television acClarence Woodward, pictured with his wife Pat, granddaughter Marcie the disabled equipment because he knew tually worked, he declared the boy a “fix-it Ketcher, her husband Colt, great-grandson Paxton, and great-grandthe issue only by looking himself. He would witch,” and Clarence’s natural mechanical daughters Kenedy and Timber, showed mechanical skills as a boy. explain the problem to the farmer and then abilities were unveiled.
Clarence Woodward began working on “everything” at a young age
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Photos by Terry Ropp
Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
AUGUST 30, 2021
