Ellwood Thomas Risk Jr

Ellwood Thomas Risk Jr, 87, of Charlotte, NC, died Thursday, February 6, 2020. “Woody” as he was commonly called, was born in Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania, on December 20, 1933, the son of Ellwood T. Risk Sr and Anna Stremba. In 1953, Woody answered his country’s call to service and joined the United States Navy. Woody was a patriotic man who loved his country and he was proud to serve aboard six different ships before retiring in 1975 as a Lieutenant Commander after 22 years of honorable service. Woody then worked for several Defense Contractors in the Norfolk, VA, area. During this time, he attended evening classes at St Leo College, attaining his BA in Business Management in 1983. He and his wife Betty co-owned and operated Bayshore Enterprises Inc. from 1990 to 1995 until selling the business and retiring. Continuing his legacy of service, Woody also served as the President of The Great Neck Kiwanis Club of Virginia Beach from 1997 to 1998. In 2003, Woody and Betty moved to Charlotte, NC, and became active members of Calvary Church. Family and friends were important to Woody and he enjoyed spending time with them. He was a devoted Christian, faithful husband, loving father, proud grandfather and a good friend who demonstrated his love with selfless acts of kindness. Woody had a way of remembering the special things that matter most, of bringing out the best in others with his warmth, of really listening and understanding, and letting people know he cared how they were feeling. Woody is survived by his wife, Betty Obrien Fowler Risk; his sons, Ellwood T. Risk III, Stephen M. (wife Kelly) Risk; his stepsons, Randy (wife Emily) Fowler, Ron Fowler, and Craig (wife Amy) Fowler; his brother, Tim (wife Carolee) Risk; and his grandchildren, Cole and Ava Risk, Chelsea (husband Scott) Daniels, Kiah and Tara Fowler. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Woody was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Elletta Herring, Ann Stuart and Lois Risk A service to celebrate Woody's life will be held at Calvary Church, 5801 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226. Visitation will begin at 1 pm with service to follow at 2 pm on Friday, February 14, 2020. After the service, interment will take place at Calvary's Magnolia Garden Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be gratefully appreciated to Calvary Church or to The Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL, 32256.

Ellwood Thomas Risk Jr

December 20, 1933 - February 6, 2020