Lcpl Philip Brice Woodson

LCPL Philip Brice Woodson, 21, of Lake Charles, LA died on Sunday, January 25, 2015 in Jacksonville, NC. LCPL Woodson was born May 20, 1993 in Lake Charles, LA and was a 2011 graduate of Barbe High School. He played soccer all four years of high school and was named the MVP of the Junior Varsity team in 2009. During his senior year, he served as the 2011 Team Captain and he was selected 2nd Team All District. Following graduation, he attended Sowela Tech and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. LCPL Woodson enlisted in August 2012, where he was assigned as a team leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. He was promoted to his current rank in October 2013. He was deployed to Okinawa, Japan from February to August 2014 in support of the Unit Deployment Program. During his deployment, Woodson participated in the Korean Marine Exchange Program 14-7 and was assigned to the first echelon Alert Contingency Marine Air Ground Task Force for the III Marine Expeditionary Force. Upon returning, he was assigned as the Contingency Based Alert Force for the II Marine Expeditionary Force. His personal awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He loved hunting and fishing, and always enjoyed spending time outdoors. Philip will always be remembered for his smile and his contagious personality. He lived life to the fullest and was always willing to try new adventures. "Every gift that leaves our hands does not leave our life". Our Sons, our Daughters, our Mothers, our Fathers, our Brothers, our Sisters, our Friends... They may leave our "hands" but will FOREVER remain in our hearts and lives. LCPL Woodson is survived by his parents, David Woodson and Dee Dee Woodson; brother, Mat Woodson; sister, Regan Woodson; grandparents, Mickey and Gail "Gay" Hart, all of Lake Charles, LA; aunts and uncles, Jane Taylor and husband Mike, Jean Pasvar and husband Hossein and Michael "Bubba" Hart and wife Michelle; cousins, Justin Taylor, Chris Taylor, Erin Taylor, Erica Pasvar, Michael Pasvar, Christopher Hart, Corey Hart, and Emily Hart; best friend, CPL Austin Reeves; k-9 companion, Bandit; and numerous other family members, friends and Marine brothers. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Tommy and Virginia Woodson; and close cousin, Jonathan Sonnier. His funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, February 1, 2015 at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Father Alan Trouille will officiate. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM with military honors rendered at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Sunday from 10:00 AM until the start of the service. Pallbearers for the service are Cpl Austin Reeves, Cpl Stephan Fontenot, Cpl Yohan Chappaz, Lcpl Clay Degnan, Lcpl Ty Rosebrook, and Lcpl Jake Shields Honorary pallbearers are Marine/grandfather Mickey Hart, Marine/family friend, Donavan Leger, lifelong friends, Blake Caldarera, Zach Foreman and Jansen Rome. Along with all fellow brother Marines, present and abroad. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.