Gary Lee Woodruff, 71 died on June 13, 2006 at his home in Boise, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Gary was born April 17, 1935 in Pullman, Wash. to John Woodruff and Jewell Hutchinson. He attended schools in Clarkston, Wash. where his love for music and especially the saxophone was born. Gary served four years in the U.S. Navy, and then returned to northern Idaho in 1956. His experience as a radio man in the Navy led him to his career in telecommunications. He started as an equipment installer and due to his drive and energies he quickly advanced with GTE. During his 36 year career, he was promoted and transferred often, living in Twin Falls and Couer d'Alene, Idaho., Houston, Texas., Spokane, Everett and Brewster, Wash., Madison, Wis., Bloomington, Ill., Indianapolis, Ind. and finally Washington D.C.. There, Gary retired as Director of Defense Programs for GTE telephone operations in 1992. While living in the D.C. area, Gary met his future wife, Becky Ridder, who also happened to be from the Pacific Northwest. On March 3,1990, Gary married his soul mate, Becky in Issaquah, Wash. Gary traveled to many places in the United States and around the world with Becky during her years as a flight attendant. When Gary retired in 1992, they decided to move to Mesa, Ariz. allowing him to pursue his passions of golf and music and Becky to continue her flight career. The large circle of friends they enjoyed in Arizona during the next 13 years, were surprised when Becky and Gary announced that they were returning to their roots in the Pacific Northwest and Gary's beloved Idaho. In 2005, they moved to Boise and had a wonderful year fishing, camping, hiking and enjoying the beauty of Idaho in their fifth wheel. Gary is survived by his wife, Becky Ridder Woodruff; his two sons, Ronald of Virginia and Gerald of San Diego; and his two grandchildren Sarah and Jonathon of Virginia. Other surviving family members are a sister, Janice Anders; a half sister, Beverly Swanby; his uncles Pat and Dick Woodruff; and his aunts Darlene, Bonnie, and Iris; and several special nieces and nephews. A Masonic funeral and military honors will be held at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at noon on Monday, June 19, 2006. Arrangements are by Summers Funeral Homes, Boise Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary's name to Boise Tuesday Musical Scholarship Fund, 2624 Harmony St., Boise, Idaho 83706.