Harry Spencer Wood
Harry Spencer Wood, former resident of the city of Pacific, went to be with his Lord on March 14, 2012 at his residence in Renton, just four days before his 89th birthday. A memorial service is planned for Thursday, April 19th, at 1:00 PM at Trinity Baptist Church of Renton at 18652 116th Avenue Southeast, Renton, WA 98058. There will be a reception following the service.
Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on March 18, 1923, Harry was second born of six children. His mother, Gracie Beatrice Woods died when he was nine years old, which left his father to raise them. Harry loved to tell the stories to his children and grandchildren of the hard times growing up during the Depression, being a “cotton picker” as he would tell it, living in a dugout on the plains with his family, surviving the Dust Bowl, and his adventures of hopping on freight trains and riding the rails.
His wanderings as a young man led him to Texas, California, and Portland, and other places with Seattle being his final frontier. There he landed a job at the National Biscuit Company where he met his first wife, Jacqueline Annetta Allen. They married on July 22, 1949 and raised two daughters as well as Jacqueline’s two sons. He worked for 20 plus years for the Rath Meat Packing Company in Seattle until the company relocated in the 1970’s. He then acquired a window washing business in downtown Auburn, Washington and settled in the city of Pacific. The locals knew him as a friendly, honest and loyal business owner who took great pride in his work. Several years after Jacqueline’s death in 1994, he met Virginia Raye Webb, fell in love and married her in 1999. They lived happily together, holding each other’s hands, enjoying visits from both of their families, and travelling until her death in 2007.
Harry was known by many for his friendly, generous and gentle spirit. He was always sharing the abundance of a well-tended garden where he cultivated wonderful flowers, fruits and vegetables. He also loved playing cards, Scrabble, and dominoes with family, friends and neighbors. He enjoyed friendly competition, winning many trophies and awards including a medal in horseshoes in the 1974 Senior Games in Spokane. Being a self-taught and creative man, he completed large and small projects to improve his home. His legacy remains in the beautiful grandfather clocks he built in his garage for each of his four children and their families.
Harry is survived by his children Nancy June (Cary) Feldmann of Renton, and Susan Annetta Schroeder of Carson City, NV; step-children Larry Phillip (Karen) Ekdahl of Longbranch, and Jimmie Roy (Karen) Ekdahl of Morton, Arlene Webb of Bothell, Diane (Arnie) Beckenhauer of Kailua Kona, Ha., and by his brother Paul Vincent (Ruth) Wood of Vancouver. Harry also leaves behind 13 grandchildren as well as 23 great- grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wives Jacqueline Annetta Allen and Virginia Raye Webb; father Lucius Charles Wood and mother Gracie Beatrice Woods; his siblings Robert Owen Wood, Gracie Frances Wood, Lawrence William Wood, and Charles Raymond Wood and great-grandchild Titus Gershom Liddle.
During his last years, Harry suffered from dementia but always remembered his favorite hymns and songs, which he would sing for his visitors and those caring for him… at any given moment! One of his favorites was “The Red River Valley” and if he could make it through the song without crying, the last line was “Just remember the Red River Valley and the cowboy who loved you so true.”
Dad, Grandpa, Brother and Friend…..we will never forget YOU.
Memorial Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association
3 Responses to “Harry Spencer Wood”
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I enjoyed reading about his life and getting to know him in this way. I can see the treasure that he is to all of his family and close friends. I am praying for you all as you miss him in the days ahead. My father, who has dementia also, is known for his spontaneous singing. It made me smile to read that he blessed people in the same way.
I have so many tender memories with Bud and how he loved my mother. I just happened to stop by to visit my mother the day they first met. Her co-worker greeted me first and said, “Your mom is so excited she has been talking with this man for over an hour and he is a Christian!!!” When I came up to them my mom introduced us and I casually said, “I understand you are a Christian.” He looked surprised and then then he said, “No, I am not.” I will never forget the day he committed his life to Jesus Christ before they were married. He cried with big tears streaming down his face. Then a little later my mother said he called Nancy and told her.
I am so glad that he is up in heaven and I know my mother is, too.
Oddly enough, my mother used to sing the song “Red River Valley” to me at bedtime when I was a little girl. She didn’t know then that someday she would actually meet and marry that cowboy “who loved her so true.” I made a few mistakes with Bud but the last time I saw him I ask him to forgive me and he cried, and told me he loved me. I loved Bud and I will always have a thankfulness for knowing such a man.
We loved Harry very much, he was the best friend ever, he helped us with many house projects. We had so much fun playing games together. He will be greatly missed.