Elwood "Woody" Ecord

Elwood “Woody” Ecord, 96, of Canton, Texas, formerly of Topeka, Kansas, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, May 12, 2025.

He was born in Topeka, Kansas to Allen Edwin Ecord and Cleta Kelsey Guthrie Ecord. Woody grew up in Topeka and graduated from Topeka High School. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in accounting at Kansas State University. He proudly served in the Army Security Agency at the end of World War II. On May 28, 1949 Woody married Patricia Miller. The couple had 69 years together at her passing.

Woody was a Kansas State University alumni as well as a Kansas City Chiefs fan. You could find him watching the games and supporting his favorite teams during football season. He was one of the founders of the Rodeo Club for Kansas State University. Woody enjoyed the outdoors; gardening, hunting, golfing, and skiing were some of his favorite outdoor activities. He loved spending time at the family cabin at Fox Lake in Cassoday, Kansas where he enjoyed boating, horseshoes and spending time with friends and relatives.

Woody was big on westerns, whether watching John Wayne and old western shows on TV or reading a good Louis L’Amour novel. Woody loved playing cards, watching movies and simply enjoying time with family.

Woody is preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Cleta Ecord; wife, Patricia (Miller) Ecord; granddaughter, Kristin Cole; sisters Patricia Baker, Aleta Biggs and most recently Mickey Barrett.

He is survived by his children: Chuck and Carol Ecord, Kristie and Paul Olivier, Samatha Cunningham, Scott Lewis and wife, Lynette; grandchildren: Clint Ecord and wife, Kristi, Alyssa Olivier, Connor Cunningham and wife, Lily, Lucia Morales; great grandchildren: Grant Ecord, Jacob Ecord, Katlyn Ecord, Luke Cole, James Cole, Ethan Cole, and Georgia Olivier-Stewart.

A celebration of life ceremony with military honors will be held at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, August 31, 2025 at time) Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS.

"A memorial for Elwood “Woody” Ecord has been established at the Kansas State University Foundation. Contributions may be sent to: KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502, To make a gift online, go to www.ksufoundation.org/give/memorials. Please select in the “Designation” drop down box, select Elwood “Woody” Ecord fund M47498.

To share a memory of Woody or leave a special message for his family, visit the guestbook below.