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Obituary for Woody Schamel
Woody Schamel passed away at his home in Brookings, OR on Jan. 27, 2010. He was 69. A celebration of Woody’s life was held at the Elks Lodge in Brookings, OR. Cremation was held. Woody was born July 8, 1940 in Indianapolis, IN to Woodrow and Alta (Wright) Schamel. He grew up there until joining the US Marine Corps in 1957. He served for four years active duty, being honorably discharged at the rank of Lance Corporal in 1961, followed by a four year term in the reserves. Woody married Linda Haynes at Camp Lejeune, NC on June 2, 1961. They moved to California where Woody began working as a lineman for Pacific Telephone and, later, LA Water and Power before going to work at Ram Construction. During his ten years there Woody earned his Administration of Justice credentials to become an LA County deputy sheriff where he worked with the San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team. In 1975, he put in applications all over Northern California; from that he was offered and accepted a resident deputy position with the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Tulelake, CA Post. He did that for eight years before transferring to their headquarters in Yreka. Woody retired from there in 1993 having received Peace Officer of the Year, Deputy of the Year, the Governor’s Award and numerous citations of merit. Following retirement from the Sheriff’s Office, he became a private investigator doing civil work all over California, but mainly focusing on elder abuse cases. In 2004, Woody and Linda moved to Brookings. Woody was active in the Retired Badges, the Marine Corps League and the Elks Lodge. He loved to ride motorcycles and was a member of the Gunfighters MC – a national group of law enforcement riders. He always had a great smile and loved to make everyone laugh with his stories. Woody loved America, the PBA Rodeo, Harley Davidson motorcycles, the US Marine Corps and law enforcement. He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Linda of Brookings, sons, Duke Wayne Schamel and his wife, Mitzie of Colorado, Kirk Wayne Schamel and his wife, Nora Jane of Colorado and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Gary and Ted Schamel and a sister, Sandy Smith. Memorial contributions may be made to the Marine Corps League Detachment #578, 6754 Jasmine Ct., Brookings, OR 97415 or to the Brookings Elks Lodge, 800 Elk Ave., Brookings, OR 97415. Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.
