Jesse James Woodward, 58, of Custer, SD died Monday, October 5, 2009 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Jesse was born April 26, 1951, in Dupree, SD, to Beverly and Gerldine (Pooley) Woodward. In 1952 his family moved to the Custer area. Jesse graduated from Custer High School in 1969. On February 14, 1970, he married Connie Wahle in Custer. They raised three boys together and enjoyed following their children through football, wrestling, rodeo and various other activities. They later enjoyed following the grandchildren in their activities. Jesse was in the logging and ranching businesses. His real passion was raising quarter horses, which he especially liked his buckskins. He was preceded in death by his father Beverly Woodward.

Survivors include his wife, Connie; sons, Jacey (Myra) Woodward; Jody (Jenny) Woodward; Jerry (Laurie) Woodward all of Custer; grandchildren, Tianna; Jace; Jaret; Jessica; Jestyn; Weston; Landon and Hailey; parents, Bill and Gerldine Anderson of Newcastle, WY; sisters, Colleen Ball of Cicero, IN; Carleen Cunningham of Rapid City; Patsy (Bill) Anderson of Rapid City; brothers, Jerry (Peggy) Woodward of Custer; Bill (Jenilee) Woodward of Albuquerque, NM; Buck (Cathy)Woodward of Belmont, AZ, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 pm, with a prayer service at 6:00 pm, Friday, October 9, 2009 at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 10, 2009 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Custer with Father Peter Kovarik officiating. Interment will follow at the Custer Cemetery.

A memorial has been established for the education of the grandchildren of Jesse J. Woodward.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.