Obituary of Donald Frederick Wood

Donald Frederick Wood, age 75, of Lacey, Washington, passed away on December 11, 2023, in Kirkland, Washington.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at the Kitsap Square Dance Association Hall, 6800 W Belfair Valley Road, Bremerton, WA 98312, followed by a potluck luncheon and square dance.

 

Don was born in Spokane, Washington, to Leland and Iris Wood on April 17, 1948.  He went to school in Tacoma, Washington. 

 

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in the Vietnam War. He was a submariner on several subs, including the USS Halibut. During his military career, he received multiple awards, including a Presidential citation. In his civilian life, he worked as a Senior Computer Architect for the State of Washington, L&I, for 32 years. 

 

He married Marie Bachler on March 27, 1995, in Olympia, Washington.

 

Don was heavily involved in the square dance community as a dancer and caller. He loved music, entertaining, and teaching dancers of all ages. He had often said fondly that his time as the club caller for the Mavericks, a teen square dance club, challenged him to be a better caller. He called for many clubs and festivals over the years and traveled worldwide calling square dances; he has called in England, Australia, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, as well as most of the United States. He co-owned Lou-Mac Records, where he recorded and produced square dance music. He was honored and very proud to have received the 2014 Parker Award for his and Marie’s contribution and dedication to the square and round dancing community that he loved.

 

Don is preceded in death by both parents and his sisters, Christine Ann Lehr and Sandra Jean Weaver.

 

Don is survived by his wife of 28 years, Marie; son, Kenneth Michael Wood and his wife, Tammy; son, Derek Matthew Wood; son, Joseph Nathaniel Wood and his wife, Rachel; son, Christopher Joseph Wood and his wife, Amanda; son, Tyler Morgan Wood; grandchildren, Sabrina, Veronica, Cecelia, Miranda, Liam, Layla and Tristan; and his brother, James Elliott Wood and his wife LaRayne.

 

Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.

 

 

 

 

 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Wood, please visit Tribute Store