Davis Elmer Wood Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep early in the morning on Aug. 20, 2024. A husband, a father, a grandfather, great-grandfather, a brother and a friend — those were the roles Dave treasured above all else. Dave’s struggle with Parkinson’s was real, and he knew the disease would win in the end. But he never stopped seeking to enjoy time with family and friends. In his final weeks, he enjoyed visits with family and attended a concert. And he even had the chance to enjoy a classic car show in July!
Dave was born in Vancouver to Davis and Helen Wood on March 3, 1950. He spent his earliest years in La Center, Ryderwood, Naselle, Toutle and Castle Rock. Then the family left southwest Washington to journey to the Philippines. He returned to Washington to graduate from La Center High School before attending Lower Columbia College and then the University of Washington. After college, he settled first in Portland and then in southwest Washington, where he lived the rest of his life.
Dave and his first wife, Barbara, raised two children, Sara and Matthew. He treasured time with his children and, later, with his grandchildren. Dave worked hard and much of eastern Vancouver bears the imprint of his efforts as a developer, but he was devoted to his family. In truth, for a man who rarely rode, he spent a good deal of his “free” time caring for and transporting horses, supporting the love of riding and gaming shown by Sara and later by her daughter, Kelsey. But he also found time to work on his classic cars and to enjoy the music of Jimmy Buffett.
With his marriage to Linda — they celebrated their 31st anniversary on July 28, 2024 — came still more horses, parades and games, and a much larger family as her children and their own families became Dave’s as well.
Dave accomplished a great deal in his life. But nothing mattered more to him than his family and the love he had for them. Those who knew Dave well knew that he cared deeply. His humor and quick smile were genuine and present right up until the end, as were the tears as he shared the struggles and disappointments of family and friends.
Dave is survived by his wife, Linda; by Sara and Matthew (Corina); by grandson Brandon (Alex) and granddaughters Charley and Rosie; by daughter Monica (Tim), son Ryan (Andrea), grandchildren Kiplee, Jerrin, Hayden and Warren, and great-grandchildren Maxon, Kimber, KarLeejo and Kinsey; by his former wife, Barbara; by his brother, Michael, and sister, Viki. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Davis and Helen Wood, by his sister Gayle Agren, and by his granddaughter Kelsey Thornton.
Dave’s family and friends will be celebrating his life with a brief memorial and open house from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Red Cross Building at the Historic Reserve, 605 Barnes St. in Vancouver. Please come ready to celebrate Dave’s life and memory.
