Donald D Wood
Donald D Wood
Donald D Wood (Don/Papa) was born on December 10, 1931 in Kansas but was raised in LaJunta, Colorado. Don is received in heaven by his parents, Elsie and Estel Wood, his wife Greta, son Gus and youngest daughter Tracy (her dog Sydney). Don returned to their loving arms on December 8, 2021!
He is survived by his three loving daughters, Noreen (his dog KoKo), Kathy (Charlie) and Marci. He is also survived by his grandchildren, TanDee (Casey, Cayden, Jerik and Madelyn), Marissa (Ken, Jake and Reilly) and Cody (Keri, Leia and Liam).
We all lost our dad, grandpa, papa, neighbor, friend and one of the best person we all knew, December 8th at 11:11pm. He would’ve been 90 on the 10th.
His door was always open, literally and figuratively. Everyone who knew him considered him family. He was a papa or best friend to all.
If you were one of his kids / grandkids, you would’ve heard him say “work hard” which we all heard thousands of times, and did what he said.
If you were a grandkid, or great-grandkid and he said “guess what” you always fell for it and said “what?!” and he would say “you’re the bunk!” We still don’t know what that means.
He worked for Equifax ( formerly known as Retail Credit) for 32 years and always talked about the many friends he left behind every time he would get promoted/transferred, which was seven times, starting in LaJunta and retiring in Washington, to be closer to kids. People always asked his kids if he was in the military due to number of times we had moved.
With him, family came first! He played mom and his song first thing every morning after she passed since January8th, 2003. In his spare time he loved to work with his hands. He helped each of us by fixing, repairing, painting or home improvements needed and/or wanted. He built several flower boxes. Helped build two decks, one for his daughter and the second one for a church family member. This led to him being voted to be the sexton for the church for a number of years after he retired. He loved looking around your home/church and seeing all that he had accomplished. He was adamant that no recognition/payment was allowed or he wouldn’t do it for you.
His hobbies were dancing, fishing, rving and finding things to fix He was once given a wooden sign that said “If Papa couldn’t fix it, we’re all in trouble.”
We have too many funny stories to share, we could go on forever. Please share if you have a good one!
There will be a Celebration of Life at Lake Washington Christian Church, 343 15th Avenue NE, Kirkland WA 98034 at 2:00 pm Saturday. January 15 2022.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lake Washington Christian Church.
Grandma, get out your dancing shoes because he’s coming. We will miss him like crazy, but we are glad you are back together. You will all be laughing much more.
15 Responses to “Donald D Wood”
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Thank you for being “Our Daddy Wood”
So many wonderful memories with all of you and our family.
We will miss you, but know Greta is thrilled to see you.
With much love,
Patti Betzendorfer
I had the joy to know Don and call him a friend for many years through our Church. His smile and friendly greeting always brightened your day and you could count on him either fixing or explaining how to fix anything you needed repairing. Seeing him in his far right, back row pew with his daughters was a fixture that warmed your heart and made your day. I will truly miss Don as a pillar of our Church and a friend.
Dick Mills
To the Wood family,
I have been friends with Noreen since I was 16. He was a great person, alway helping family and friends.
He was also great with kids always making them laugh.He will be missed by all who new him.
I hope he is in heaven where family await him.
I first met Don when I was in high school in Great Falls, Montana. I was as nervous as one could be; there to meet Noreen my wonderful high school prom date. I was greeted by Don with a welcoming smile and an introduction to the Wood Family that would begin life long friendships. Don was the one of the best examples of what it meant to be a good person, friend and ultimately an incredible Father and Grandfather. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to know Don and call him a friend. A friend whose qualities we should all emulate. We need more Dons in this world!
We had the pleasure of knowing Don when we attended Lake Washington Christian Church until 2007. He always had a smile on his face and asked how could he help you. One thing I remember about Don is our wedding in December of 2006 at LWCC. He cleaned the church afterwards and I remember trying several times to get him to let me pay him. He refused each and every time! Our condolences and prayers.
I was Don’s pastor at Lake Washington Christian
Church several years ago. He was one of those people you could call on whether it was a burst pipe or to fill in as deacon at the last minute. No matter what it was he always had a big smile and a big heart.
The one thing I will always remember is what a wonderful hugger Don was. I always looked forward Sunday mornings to his delightful smile and hug. He was so loving and caring and his family was his pride and joy. I also remember he was the first to bid on my cookies at our auctions. How he loved cookies! I will miss him but know that he is with the love of his life and is wearing an even bigger smile now.
I always enjoyed seeing Don either in church or on his neighborhood walks. He always greeted me with a welcoming smile and greeting. Martha could always count on Don to fix anything that needed fixing at Lake Washington Christian Church. He was an amazing person. His dedication to his family and church was exceptional. We will all miss him tremendously.
For several years the women’s group at our shared church would have a weekend retreat on the Washington coast. Coincidentally (or not?) Don and his family were annual visitors to the same complex shortly before the retreat.
One year, much to our surprise and delight, Don & Company had created a scavenger hunt for us. So Don, full of fun and thinking of others. He will be missed!
Don was beloved and on Sundays he would greet me with a sweet smile and a warming hand shake. I remember he would always be there to fix things that broke, with his helper dog at his side!! I miss you..
We got to know Don as members of Lake Washington Christian Church. Don was one of those people that the more you knew him, the more you loved him. He always welcomed you with a huge smile and loving embrace.
God doesn’t make them any better than Don Wood and he will be missed by many.
Please post a Zoom link here (if it’s available) for Don’s Celebration of Life today.
Hi, Don was my neighbor and through him I met his wonderful daughters. They have all told me how he was always there for them in the past and they in turn cared for him these past few years. That in itself is a great testimony to Don.
I first met Don and his family in when Greta died, and he called Lake Washington to see about having a memorial for her. Over the years, as a pastor and a friend, I have always thought that he was without a doubt one of the kindest, warmest, and most giving man I have known. Over the years since leaving LWCC for other pastorates, I have thought many times who much I wish I could have taken Don (and his whole clan!!) with me wherever God has led me. May God’s peace comfort all of you in this season of grief. I know Don is so happy to be reunited with his hear love Greta!
We knew Don through Lake Washington Christian Church. There are too few people that warm your heart with their presence. Don was one of the them!!
Don was an absolutely incredible person and an awesome neighbor. He was always so very generous with his time helping my mother with projects my father wasn’t equipped to tackle. For many of these projects, Dad put up a good appearance by standing around to hand Don a hammer should he be in need. It was two friends spreading quality time together. Don would never accept payment for his help. My Dad was so very grateful to have Don as a neighbor who could help him out of a jam.
Don was like an Uncle I could turn to anytime I needed help or advice. I have so many fond memories of Don and I will miss him. My sincerest condolences to all of his family. I know you have lost a wonderful family member.