Keal Scott Woodruff

Keal Scott Woodruff, 62, of Houston, Texas, passed away on May 9, 2023 in Houston, Texas.

Keal was born in Fukuoka, Japan on October 3, 1960, to Robert Fowler Woodruff and Sharley Melling Woodruff. Shortly after Keal’s birth, the Woodruff family returned stateside to Port Neches, Texas. Keal graduated from Port Neches High School in 1979. Upon graduation, Keal began his career in the marine industry. In 1989 he became an owner of R&R Marine Shipbuilding in Port Arthur, Texas, which he owned for the next 21 years. Afterwards, Keal began working at Gulf Copper before becoming the President of Bludworth Marine, LLC, in Houston, Texas, for the next 7 years.

Keal loved many things in life, but the most important thing to Keal was his family. He loved spending time with and cooking for his family. He also loved the outdoors and being on the water. His many hobbies included fishing, golfing, hunting, and gardening. Keal was a strong but gentle man with a generous and kind soul, enormous heart, witty sense of humor and unending love for his family. Keal was called home before his book was completely written, and though his chapters were few, he left a legacy in each chapter that will live forever. He will be missed beyond measure.

Keal will forever be cherished by the love of his life and wife, Laurie Woodruff of Houston, TX, and mother, Sharley Woodruff of Bridge City, TX. Keal loved and cherished his children, Justin Woodruff of Lakewood, CO., Hunter Woodruff of Seagrove, FL., Brayden Woodruff of Lubbock, TX, Kathryn Bass and husband, Lanham of Houston, TX and Emily Blum of Houston, TX, and grandaughter, Mackey Bass of Houston, TX, who lovingly called him Keke Boss. Keal is survived by his brother, Bret Woodruff and wife Jane of Orange, TX, sister, Kelli Mitchell of Bridge City, TX. brother and sister-in-laws, Pete Barlow, Michael and Suzanne Barlow and Eyde and David DeVillier all of Nederland, TX, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.

Keal is preceded in death by his father, Robert Fowler Woodruff, mother-in-law and father-in- law, Jeannette and Guy Barlow and nephew, Greg Chipman, Jr., as well as his faithful companion, Leo.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Keal’s doctors and their teams at MD Anderson – Dr. Negrao, Dr.O’Reilly, Dr. Karam, Dr. Higbie, Dr. Halliday and Dr. Brito-Dellan.

A gathering of family and friends for a visitation will be held at Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland, Texas on Monday, May 22, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. A funeral service will immediately follow the visitation on Monday and will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Melancon’s. Interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches, Texas.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. – 2 Timothy 4:7.