Tuesday became a sad day for the Navy SEALs, as they lost one of their own after a training accident near Key West, Florida. A feature on The Virginian-Pilot shared that the Navy has confirmed the death of a Navy SEAL based at the Little Creek campus of the Joint Expeditionary Base during a routine dive training.
The Navy SEAL was identified as 26 year-old Ronald Tyler Woodle of Waynesville, North Carolina. He was one of the members of a small group of Navy SEALs who were engaged in dive training in the waters near Key West. A news release, according to the article, said that Woodle was reported missing by a teammate at around 9 AM. Woodle was recovered in minutes, although he was already unconscious. He was pronounced dead at the Lower Keys Hospital.
Woodle was born in Asheville, North Carolina. The feature said that he was home schooled until high school and was “a star soccer player at Asheville Christian Academy, scoring 72 goals during his years there.” He enjoyed a soccer scholarship for two years while attending Mars Hill College and then worked in construction.
Woodle enlisted in the Navy in 2007 with the intention of joining the Navy SEALs. He became part of a SEAL team based in the East Coast in October 2009. He was undergoing “intensive training in preparation for deployment overseas.”
Ronald Tyler Woodle is survived by his parents, Ron and Kathi Woodle, and his sisters, Sumer Christenbury and Jerica Woodle.
February 18th, 2010 - 6:23 am
So incredibly sorry about Tyler’s death. He clearly loved what he did and our hearts break over this tragic accident. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
February 18th, 2010 - 6:58 am
My deepest sympathies for the loved ones he left behind and my sincerest gratitude for his service and sacrifice. God Bless.
February 18th, 2010 - 2:03 pm
My son, Evan Skaar, was in Class 273 and rolled to 274. He is presently in Military Intelligence in Monterey as a Chinese Language Expert. My heart goes out to your family and his team. I fully comprehend all that goes into this training, and how very tight his SEAL community was. Peace be with all of you!!!
February 19th, 2010 - 6:25 am
i want to say i’am so sorry for all the woodle family it has been hard for them because tyler just lost his grandfather who died in october of last year we are part of this close family and love them all dearly iam sorry ronnie and kathi you all are in our prayers and thoughts love nancy& frank simmons memapopo51@comcast.net
February 19th, 2010 - 10:34 pm
We were blessed to have known this young man since he was born. God blessed them with each other and they, as a family, blessed us. Lord, please be with them, holding them up and comforting them in this tremendous time of sadness. Our family, as well as this world, is a better place due to the Woodle Family. Thank you. We love you with all of our hearts.
February 20th, 2010 - 4:10 pm
My daughters and myself wanted to send our heartfelt sympathy to “Tylers” family for his sudden passing. We had the honor of meeting your son last October 2009 in San Diego when we went to see our son/brother Andrew who is also a Navy Seal. Your son lit up the room with his smile and manners. So well liked by all who were present. Our prayers and thoughts are with you today and always.
February 20th, 2010 - 4:41 pm
Our sincerest sympathies to Ronald Tyler Woodle’s family, friends and fellow SEALS. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all today.
February 21st, 2010 - 7:06 am
[...] readers left messages in our post reporting Woodle’s death, expressing condolences to the family that he left behind. Melinda Mimms [...]
February 21st, 2010 - 11:38 am
As a sister to a SEAL my heart goes out to the family, friends and brothers to this fine Warrior.
Godspeed Ronald Woodle. You are one of the finest EVER! Thank you ever so much for your service to this wonderful country of ours.
HOOYAH!
February 22nd, 2010 - 8:33 pm
May God bless Tyler Woodle’s family, friends, and SEAL team!!!
We send our deepest sympathy to all!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you!! Tyler is a true Patriot and we thank him for his service to the USA!!
March 4th, 2010 - 8:02 am
[...] Leva, a columnist for the Holland Sentinel, wrote a fitting tribute for Navy SEAL Ronald Tyler Woodle in particular, and the Navy SEALs and other men and women in the service in general. It can be [...]
June 6th, 2010 - 10:04 am
Tyler Woodle is our Nephew and we love him very much. We cannot explain our saddness for his loss. We can only take comfort in knowing that he was a great man that was a Christian and loved the Lord. He also was a very loving person and last but not least, he loved being a Navy Seal. We can only thank God for sharing him with us for his short 26 years and his contribution to others during that time. We say to Tyler, we love you and will never forget you. You will always be in out hearts wherever we go and we will rejoice with you when we see you in Heaven.