Roy A. Woofter, 79, passed away peacefully, Friday, January 25, 2013, in his home. He was surrounded by his wife and family.
Roy was born April 18, 1933, to Blair and Geraldine Woofter (Bell) in Sheridan, Wyoming. He did most of his growing up younger years in Sheridan with his best friend Dutch. Roy often accompanied his father on his work trips to Las Vegas. During those times Roy attended public schools both in Sheridan and in Las Vegas. Education was important to Roy's parents; he was always in school even while traveling back and forth. Most of his adolescence was spent in Sheridan, Wyoming. Roy worked hard in his early life; as he did later in life. In Sheridan, he and Dutch, his best friend, both worked for the railroad as Gandy Dancers, while saving their money to go on to college.
Roy has been a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada for 60 years. Roy attended UNLV, a Junior College on a dirt road named Maryland Parkway. While going to college Roy worked for Union Pacific Railroad in Las Vegas - only this time he worked in the office.
After serving as a Corporal in the U.S. Army in both Germany and France, using his entitlement from his GI Bill, Roy then went on to receive his Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees from University of Nevada, Reno. One of Roy's mentors was Senator Howard Cannon who encouraged him to apply and attend George Washington School of Law in Washington, D.C., where he graduated with his Law degree. During his internship, Roy worked under President John Fitzgerald Kennedy as a law clerk. When President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated he then continued to work as a Law Clerk for President Lyndon B. Johnson. Roy came back to Las Vegas to practice law and dedicated his early years to teaching, coaching and lecturing to students in Clark and Washoe Counties.
Roy worked with numerous charitable, civic, sports and youth organizations and received countless awards for his efforts; some of which included Man of the Year Award to Roy and Mayor Ron Lurie from Help Them Walk Again, for actions in support of spinal injury research; he also received recognition and awards for his effort to communicate with Spanish speaking people and his outstanding contributions to the Mexican community. Roy was involved with the Scleroderma Foundation Board and hosted all the fundraising events at his home. He was Director and Active Member of UNLV's Alumni Association, an active member of UNR Alumni Association and for the past 21 years has been an active member of the Maaco Las Vegas Bowl Executive Committee. Roy was an avid supporter of sports in the Las Vegas community where he supported American Legion baseball for youth, UNLV basketball, football and baseball. In 2001, a generous donation was made from Roy to the UNLV baseball. In honor of Roy's donation, UNLV had a table and bench erected and donated in memory of his father Blair. Roy loved baseball and was a shareholder of the Las Vegas Stars Baseball Team. Roy and the other shareholders were instrumental in establishing Cashman Field. In 1991, a city park was named the Roy Woofter Park. Upon the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony performed by Mayor Jan Jones, Roy immediately rededicated his park to his family honoring his uncle, a police officer who died in the line of duty, and his father Blair. Roy immediately renamed the park "Woofter Family Park."
Roy served the State of Nevada for 50 years; from 1966-1968 he was a Deputy Public Defender (one of three who originated the Public Defender's Office); 1968-1969 Deputy District Attorney (responsible for the prosecution of over 100 preliminary hearings and jury trials); 1969-1971 Justice of the Peace-Clark County, Nevada where he presided over 1,000 felony preliminary hearings and criminal misdemeanor trails; 1971-1974 District Attorney-Clark County, Nevada where he personally prosecuted jury trials (seven murders with successful convictions in each of them), and created the first and only District Attorney Youth Advisory Council comprised of students representative of all Clark County high schools, to work with law enforcement in the DA's Office in formulating goals for a better relationship between the youth and law enforcement; was also a member of the Liquor and Gaming Board for two years; 1975-1982 maintained his private law practice and was also City Commissioner-City of Las Vegas where he was responsible for administration of the City budget and decision making involving Zoning, Planning and Licensing; Vice Chairman of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; 1982-1989 City Attorney-City of North Las Vegas, Legal Advisor for City Council and all City Departments; 1989-1992 City Attorney-City of Las Vegas, Legal Advisor for City Council and all City Departments; 1993 Special Defender-Court Appointed murder case; 1994-1996 Court Appointed Special Prosecutor; and in 1998 served as Judge Pro Tem of the Las Vegas Justice Court.
Roy has continued to serve his country through his membership with the American Legion, VFW, Masonic Lodge, Zetzah Shrine Temple, Elks Lodge and Moose Lodge. In ending, all we can say is that Roy loved Las Vegas more than anyone else we know and was truly devoted to this community. Roy, one of the original "Good Ole Boys", was a GIANT in Las Vegas. He will be missed.
Roy is survived by his wife, Diane Woofter, who was the Love of his Life; daughter, Cynthia Jorgenson of California; son, Christopher Woofter of Las Vegas; daughter, Janet Rogers; husband, Marty of Las Vegas; son, Al Caci; wife, Jennifer of Las Vegas; surviving grandchildren, Kelsey Jorgenson, Joshua Woofter, who serving presently in The United States Marines, Cody Woofter, Austin Woofter and Mathew Rogers; Al and Angelo Caci; sister-in-law, Carol Sherman; husband, Bob of Las Vegas; their children, Greg Sherman of Las Vegas, David Sherman of Chicago, Steve Sherman – wife Marylisa of California, Susan Sherman of Las Vegas, Diana Puglisi of Las Vegas, and Frank Puglisi III and his 2 children Frankie and Sabrina of New York; sister-in-law, Janet Spano; husband, Ben of Las Vegas and their daughter, Stephanie; husband, Brad; their children, Isabella and Ethan of Las Vegas; son, Sam Spano; and his two children, Bianca and Benny of Las Vegas; brother-in-law, Carl Gagilone and wife, Denise; their children, Joseph and Jeffrey Gigilone of Las Vegas. He is also survived by one brother, Darrell Woofter of Branson, Missouri; and his 4 children; cousin Donna Woofter of Las Vegas; and many other cousins and thousands of friends which are too numerous to mention especially, those who stayed loyal visiting Roy to the end.
On behalf of the family, we would like to thank Diane Eseg, RN and Catheryn Gordillo, RN from Creekside Hospice for their compassion and professionalism in caring for Roy.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to be made to the UNLV Foundation "Roy Woofter Baseball Fund", 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 451006, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154.
The Services for Mr. Roy A. Woofter will be held on 2 days. Visitation will be held on Thursday January 31st, 2013, from 4 to 8 PM. The Memorial /Eulogy Service will be held on Friday February 1st, 2013, at 2:00 PM.
Visitation (Thursday) and Memorial /Eulogy Service (Friday) will be held at Palm Mortuary at the (Downtown) location 1325 Main St, 89101, 1-702-464-8300.
Arrangements under the direction of Palm Downtown Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.
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