Kathy D Wood

Kathy D. Wood, age 71, passed away quietly at her home in Celina, Texas on October 24th after a battle with cancer. Kathy was born in Kansas City, Missouri and moved to Dallas with her family in 1956. She was known by her family and friends as a very intelligent and kind-hearted lady who lived life to the fullest.

Kathy was a leader and mentor to many in her personal and professional life. In 1971, she graduated from Bryan Adams High School as co-valedictorian in a class of over 1,200 and was editor-in-chief of the yearbook. She was also on the Student Council, was ‘Goals for Dallas’ representative, and Senior Class Secretary. Upon Graduation, Kathy went to the University of Arkansas where she met her life's love, Ken Wood. At the University, she joined Delta Delta Delta sorority and was President her senior year. She was on the Dean's List every semester, Who's Who in American Colleges, and admitted to the Phi Beta Kappa academic society.

After graduation with a bachelor’s in journalism, she married Ken and moved back to Dallas where she started her career in advertising sales with KXAS TV Channel 5. Over the years, she worked her way up in advertising sales management positions, eventually becoming National Ad Manager. She was awarded Local Sales Manager of the Year in 1987 by the American Women in Radio and Television organization. In 1990, she also served as General Sales Manager of Channel 39 in Dallas, and then started her own advertising consulting business and worked with the Dallas Morning News on sales strategies for another 10 years.

Following her retirement in 2006, Kathy and her husband moved to Prosper, Texas, then a small farming community, where she enjoyed gardening, photography, travelling, and raising her beloved Dalmatians, Bud, Carlos, Zee Zee, and Nacho. Finally, in 2021, she and her husband moved to Celina, Texas, to their ranch where she continued her gardening projects on a larger scale.

Kathy leaves a legacy of love and devotion to her husband, family, friends, community, and faith. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her. Proceeded in death by her parents Robert P. Downer, and Stella Downer-Smith, she is survived by her husband of 48 years, Ken Wood, her brother Park Downer and his wife Sandra of Dallas, Texas, brother-in-law Keith C. Wood of Bentonville, Arkansas, sister-in-law Lynn Ashley of Mena, Arkansas, Beth Strickland and her husband John Strickland from Bentonville, Arkansas, and numerous, wonderful nieces and nephews.

After the cremation, the family will be having a private Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, Kathy encouraged donations to the Dalmatian’s Rescue of North Texas, Animal Rescue Foundation, or your local ASPCA, and Children’s Cancer Hospital at MD Anderson Cancer Center.