John Hathaway Woodham

John Hathaway Woodham, 81, a resident of Auburn, Alabama, and former resident of Fayetteville, Georgia, passed away on July 30, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Auburn United Methodist Church Chapel with burial to follow at Tuskegee Cemetery.

A native of Hartford, Alabama, John graduated from Geneva County High School and attended Auburn University graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He also earned a Masters in Business Administration from Georgia State University. He joined the U.S. Air Force where he served as a pilot for over six years flying the C-141 and EC-47 aircrafts. A Vietnam War veteran, he flew around the world many times and amassed over 1,000 combat flying hours that resulted in being awarded the Air Medal five times and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After leaving the Air Force he was immediately hired as a pilot by Eastern Air Lines where he rose to the rank of Captain on the DC-9 aircraft. Due to the oil crisis in the 1970s, he was furloughed from Eastern for an extended period of time. This led to him working for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an Air Traffic Controller and an Air Carrier Safety Inspector where he licensed both Delta Air Lines and Southern Airways pilots on the DC-9 aircraft. He was recalled from furlough by Eastern where he continued his flying career remaining there until a medical condition required him to medically retire. He then returned to the FAA in an administrative capacity until his retirement in 2009. 

John was known for his dry sense of humor and ability to break into a song that fits the moment, although his children and grandchildren would tell him he couldn’t carry a tune. Of late, he laughed anytime someone told him he was “looking good,” as he then would make a point of letting that person know that the three stages of life are youth, middle age and “looking good.” He was proud to be a US Air Force Veteran, as well as completing his bucket list of visiting all 50 states on his 80th birthday, where he was given a certificate and T-shirt commemorating he had “Saved the Best for Last” in Fargo, North Dakota. He was also proud to be a lifetime member of the Auburn Alumni Association as well as a member of Auburn United Methodist Church. 

John was preceded in death by his parents Theo and Mabel Woodham and his sister Patsy Thomley. He is survived by Lyn, his wife of 59 years, and children Lee (Chris) Langub of Marietta, Georgia, Thomas (Anna) of Peachtree City, Georgia, and Charles (Jessica) of Raleigh, North Carolina. He is also survived by six grandchildren and two step-grandchildren. Survivors also include sisters Judy Rousseau of Hartford, Angelyn Burgess of Hoover, and sister-in-law Fran (Charlie) Copeland Carpenter of Shorter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Auburn United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 3135, Auburn, Alabama 36831.