Francis R. Woolley, Jr.'s Obituary
Francis Russell Woolley, 81, passed away peacefully August 5, 2017, in Covington, LA. Russell was born November 8, 1935, in Shreveport, LA, to Francis Woolley and Leanora (Ricks) Woolley. He graduated Jesuit High School in 1953, and he then pursued his love of cars and relied upon his great precision machining skills to open Shreve Automotive with his two friends and partners, Bud Hargrove and Ray Harris. In 1959, Russell married Judith (Judy) Dupuy, a nursing student whom Russell met at a St. John’s Catholic Church social in Shreveport.
In 1963, Shreve Automotive, acting upon its growing nationwide reputation for building specialized racing engines, relocated to Metairie, LA. There Russell and his partners, while establishing themselves as a top engine repair/rebuilding shop in the region, also created the Shreve Automotive racing team and built one of the top double-A fuel dragsters in the country. Throughout the racing and engine repair community, Russell maintained a well-earned reputation as being a leader in innovation and skilled craftsmanship who was impeccably honest in all his dealings. His word was truly his bond. After retirement from his business, Russell and Judy moved to their acreage outside Bush, LA, where Russell loved working on his tractor and his cars. Russell is survived by his wife Judy, his two brothers, Gerry Woolley (Terrell, TX), and Stephen Woolley (Flint, TX), his five children, Mary Woolley (Espoo, Finland), Phyllis Dolence (Webb City, MO), Karen Marks (Bush, LA) Don Woolley (Metairie, LA), and Christine Woolley Desroche (Metairie, LA), two sons-in-law, and eight grandchildren. Visitation with the family will be held Saturday, August 12, 2017, from 9:00 to 11:00 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 20370 Smith Road, in Covington, LA. Funeral services will be held immediately after at 11 a.m. at the church. Internment services will be held at St. Joseph’s Abbey Cemetery, 75376 River Road, Saint Benedict, LA, following the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, 1655 McGill Avenue, Mobile, AL 36604 in Russell’s name.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements. Share a memory on the tribute wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com
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