Peter James Woodley

Peter James Woodley was born in Philadelphia, PA on February 18,1974 to Val and Dave Woodley. With big sister Liz, the four of them spent his early years with the High Meadows and nearby Alverno Valley Farms communities. Pete's childhood years were filled with days near Linvilla Orchard, traveling great distances with his family - including England, South Africa, and Australia. His demeanor and character were built by long talks with Dave, competitive ping pong with Val, and bike riding with Liz.

With his British parents, Pete was the only kid to join Little League Baseball without a glove or a bat. Pete also played tennis and football in high school and windsurfed on Marsh Creek. Later on in life, Pete would add softball and frisbee golf to his repertoire. Pete began his love for water at Knowlton and Hidden Hollow Swim clubs; and in the heat of the summer months, spent hours playing in the basement within a house lacking AC, which may have led Pete to think "I was poor while I was growing up!"

Pete's friends played a huge part in his life. Attending Roosevelt and Glenwood Elementary schools, followed by Springton Lake Middle School and Penncrest High School, brought Pete many of his lifelong friends. Friends he could count on for exceptional adventures and high quality shenanigans. Countless stories about riding dirt bikes in the woods, skiing, and summer life working at the shore.

In 1992, after a brief stint at Millersville University, Pete and a handful of close friends flew the Pennsylvania coop and made the move to Colorado. Pete would find a home in Fort Collins. Beginning work at the Trail Head Tavern, Pete would find the community of people that would be his for years to come. After gaining residency, Pete began school at CSU in the School of Natural Resources. Pete's love of traveling led him to investigate study abroad programs, equally, his love of beaches, reefs, and snorkeling led him to Belize. This 4 month trip brought him many hours in the water, memorably long boat rides, a minor in ocean biology, very good friends, and a future wife, Shannon.

Pete graduated from CSU in 2001 with a degree in Natural Resource Management. He spent his first year out of school comparing the geological and biological ground composition with satellite images, aka "truthing," in Rocky Mountain National Park. Pete never quite landed a 'career' gig, rather spent his working life at the Trailhead, working construction, slinging burritos, and a variety of other professions. His biggest and most rewarding job ultimately being rooted in his wife and children.

After a 'long courtship', Pete and Shannon were married in 2009. Their proposal is forever remembered with a nervous Pete on a sandy beach in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

The Woodley house is one that is always open to friends. Pete was always ready to host anything from games in the basement to wedding receptions and of course the annual Super Bowl Party. Pete's love of travel continued to carry him to various places - Vegas, England, Australia/New Zealand, Jamaica, Belize and the cabins at Michigan Ditch.

Pete and Shannon expanded their family in 2012 with their daughter, Paige, and in 2015 with their son, Rhys. In this role as a father, Pete's authentic intellect, kindness, problem-solving, and selflessness shined bright. Pete's resourcefulness and appreciative demeanor is reflected in Paige's cleverness and creativity; Rhys's negotiating efforts and constant inquisitiveness were fostered by Pete's natural curiosity and theorizing. Pete loved being part of the children's friend community and never gave up trying to make the kids laugh. Pete loved engaging and bantering away at the schoolyard and on the sidelines. Pete gained such titles as "Funniest Dad" and "Favorite Stay-At-Home Mom".

In 2018 Pete went back to school to get his teaching certificate with the goal of being a middle or high school Science teacher. Pete earned his certificate in the spring of 2020, which coincided with the beginning of the pandemic and homeschooling. With Paige in grade 3 and Rhys in pre-K, Pete took on his friends' children as well - and so filled his days teaching and caring for the four of them through months of remote schooling.

Teaching at home and taking in extra kids is just one of many ways Pete would care for his family and his friends. There are so many moments and examples of Pete looking out for those around him - loaning tools, building fences, making back patios, helping on projects, and getting you home safely. Pete was also a fierce advocate of treating people fairly. This not only showed in his 'honest Pete' nature at poker and games, but also in his ability to stand up to other people. Whether by stepping into the middle of the street to slow a car driving too fast in the neighborhood, or putting someone in their place for being disrespectful. Pete was comfortable articulating reason and highlighting fairness. He had big opinions and an even bigger heart.

Pete could talk to anyone about anything. He could dive quickly into theorizing, talking politics, or general knowledge of milk prices. His line 'ya know what I mean' was truly an open invitation to expand and discuss anything he was going on about.

Of all of the advice Pete could offer there were many 'How to's' that many have not been through.. "How to be rescued by helicopter at night on a bay", "How to survive snapping a tree in half while hanging from the top branches", "How and why not to put a bullet in a vice and hit it with a hammer", "How to only spend 2 hours in Mexico and get a serious head injury." The stories he could tell!!

There are so many aspects of Pete that we all know and love and could always tease him about - how long he could make a home project last, his resistance to anything new, his work clothes so holey it was amazing they held together, his high standard to always be cheap and the love of NPR. You could tease him endlessly because he could dish it out as well. His sense of humor was sharp, witty and could often catch you off guard.

Pete loved being with his family and friends. Pete was happiest goofing with his kids, fiddling in the garden, toiling in the kitchen and playing poker or yard games. With a cup of coffee in hand, he was content to take it easy and enjoy being at home.


Pete's diagnosis led him down a path that none of us could see coming. He wanted nothing more than to recover, to put this behind him as he did so many other injuries. We all wanted him to have years ahead of him with Shannon, his children, family and friends. As he is gone now we can only take him with us. We can take his smile, his contagious laugh, the feel of his big hugs and strong handshake. We can remember his kindness and desire to always learn and understand.

We love him so much and will miss him more than words can say.

A graveside service will be held at 12:00 pm, Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins. Reception to follow at the Trailhead Tavern from 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Pete was not one for cut flowers. In lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation to NPR or the planting of a tree in Pete's name.

Suggested Donation links:
One Tree Planted: https://forest-fundraiser.raisely.com/shannon-woodley
NPR: https://www.npr.org/donations/support