Don Edward Wood

On Thursday, June 30, 2022, Don Edward Wood, age 83, walked through the Door to eternity with the Lord. He was a loving husband, father of two children, grandfather to nine, and great grandfather of seven. Don was born on November 21, 1938, at Eliza Tanner Hospital, Santa Rosa, CA, the second of four children born to Wesley Isaac Wood and Marjorie Bernice Hayes. On June 26, 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, June Celesta Koch.

Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, June, sons Larry (LeAnn) Wood and Gary (Jerri) Wood, brother, Gene (June) Wood, and sister, Lorene (Tony) Solis. His sister, Elaine Wood, preceded him in passing. Grandchildren include Wesley (Amanda) Wood, Whitney (Brian) Fraiz, Tyler (Ashley) Wood, Lauren (Isaiah) Liston, Alicia Wood, Kayla (Erik) Hanson, Kyle (Brittney) Wood, Rachel (Isaiah) Vazquez, and Caleb Wood.

Don had a heart for the Lord and to educate children. During his life, he touched the lives of hundreds and perhaps thousands of students, teachers, and administrators. Don graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1956, received a BA from Simpson Bible College, BS from Hayward State University, and obtained a California teaching credential. Later in life, he received an MS degree in Educational Administration from National University. From 1962-1964, he served as a missionary with the American Sunday School Union in Northern Arizona. He taught elementary school at Sebastopol Union Elementary School from 1965-1971. From 1971-1978, Don served as minister of Christian education at Christian Life Center, Santa Rosa, and was the founding principal of its Christian school. He pastored Bethel Temple Church, Red Bluff, in 1978-1980. He was superintendent of Capital Christian Schools from 1980-1988. In 1988, Don returned to his love of teaching in the classroom at Kohler School in the Rio Linda School District where he retired in 2002.

Don faithfully served God. He was a great example to his family, a loving and generous man. He helped turn around many troubled students and gave many teachers and administrators their start. He shared his wisdom and sense of humor with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

To celebrate Don’s life, a memorial service will be held on July 18, 2022 at 10:00 am at Mount Vernon Memorial Park located at 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, CA.