Donald John Wood Jr.

On August 31st, 2024, Donald John Wood Jr., left our world to join Heaven’s angels, his beloved parents,  and most of all our beloved Father and Jesus Christ.

Donald (“Don” or “Donny”) passed away peacefully at home,  with his beloved wife at his bedside.  His three dogs were also at his side as they loved him tremendously.  After a difficult battle with multiple health problems, Don can finally rest in peace.

Donald Wood Jr. Was born in Kenton, Ohio on February 4th, 1945.  Donald’s parents were Doris and Donald Wood Sr.  They loved “junior” very much….so much so, that due to Don’s poor respiratory health, they uprooted their whole family, from Meeker, Ohio to live in Tucson, Arizona.  At that period, in time, Arizona was considered the mecca for better respiratory health.

Moving to Arizona was a whole new world for 7 year old Don and his family.  He thrived at art, mechanics, and inventing things.   As a teenager, Don attended Rincon High School and worked part time at a drive-in with his Dad.  All the while growing up, Don remained close with his sister DeJon and brother Dennis. Don was always close with his loving g family.

After high school, Don attended University of Arizona for a time.  Until the day Don died, he was ALWAYS A WILDCATS FAN!  Although Donny did not finish college, he later found his calling in tool making.  Donny worked at Lear Jet, McDonell Douglas, and lastly Boeing.  At all companies, Donny made lifelong friends.  A feather in Don’s cap was that he worked for Boeing, in tooling, for 34 years!  At Boeing, Donny was respected and revered by all that knew him…They just don’t  make them like Don anymore.

On a personal level, Don and his first wife, Candy, adopted their son Matthew when he was a baby.  Don and Matt did many father/son activities together while Matt was growing up.   Through  the years, “Junior,” would go to the family farm in central Ohio.  Don would enjoy his visits to the Keeler Farm” as, he loved to visit with all his relatives.  On November 12th, 2006, Don married his love Pamela Inglis.  Don and Pam Wood resided in Mesa, Arizona for their entire marriage.  Pam will love and miss Don for the rest of her life.

Don achieved many things in his life including multiple bicycle marathons, being on a racing pit crew, and winning big at the Arizona State Fair in photography.  Don even got a black belt in karate at 60 years old!  With that black belt, he taught children karate techniques at Central Christian Church.  In later years, with his wife Pam, Don rescued many animals:  fish, turtles, toads, birds, cats, but mostly dogs.  The rescuing of animals made Don feel good and he was wonderful at it.  In addition to his achievements he loved working at the farm with his brother Dennis.  Don lived large.

This obituary would not be complete if Don’s interests were not mentioned…hot rods/muscle cars, the desert, westerns, and playing cards (mostly Euchre.) Don was great at photography.  He was a vegetarian since the age of 5.  A big drinker Don was not although he liked to have beers “with the guys.” “Lover” as his wife called him, baked desserts for Don often because he lived for sweets.  Cookies and milk were his favorites.  And don’t forget the Wildcats!!!  Don enjoyed watching NFL & movies with “wifey” Pam.  Pam relished these times and will miss them so very much.

Donald John Wood Jr. (born February 4, 1945 and passed away August 31, 2024) is preceded in death by his parents Donald and Doris Wood Sr.  Donald is survived by his wife, Pamela, his son Matthew (Becky,) sister DeJon (Eric,) brother Dennis, Don’s grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  Donny is also survived by many friends/coworkers that he thought the world of.  Lastly, Don’s three dogs Jilly, Joey, and Sarah remained steadfast at his bedside during  his end of life journey.

In honor of Donald (Don, Donny, Lover) please celebrate his life by donating a tribute donation in  Don’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association…Let’s find a cure for this horrible disease that takes away many wonderful people, like Don, from our world.

Don,  We all feel the loss of you in our lives.   LOVE AND MISS YOU.