Kenneth Wood

Kenneth Eugene Wood

Born on June 23, 1942, in Yakima, Washington, Kenneth Eugene Wood (“Woody”) lived a life defined by humor, compassion, and connection.

A devoted high school teacher and coach, Ken was a mentor to countless students whose lives he touched both in the classroom and on the field. He taught at Selah High School for 29 years. His love for education was matched only by his love for his family, whom he cherished above all else.

An outdoorsman at heart, Ken found peace in nature—often with a fishing rod in hand or sitting by a campfire under the stars. His passion for sports extended beyond coaching; he was an avid hockey fan and took great joy in watching his grandchildren play football, volleyball, and basketball.

After 4 years of service in the Navy, Ken's journey took him from Selah, to Othello, back to Selah, Yakima, and ultimately to Bonney Lake. Along the way, he filled his life with adventures, often traveling to visit his sister in Chelan, Georgia and Bonners Ferry. He also liked spending time on the coast and frequenting casinos where he had a knack for the slots.

He is survived by his son, Loren Wood; grandchildren, Kailee (Evan) Laratta and Vance Wood; sister, Maxine Phillips; nephew, Casey (Linda) Phillips; nephew, Tom (Shannon) Wood, niece Diane (Robert) Jandl, and ex-wife, Joyce Preston. He was preceded in death by his father, Noel Wood; mother, Piccola Wood; and brother, Harvel Wood.

In the words of Robin Williams, “You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” Ken lived every day with that spark—charismatic, compassionate, funny, and full of life. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire all who knew him.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and upload photos to his memorial page. His celebration of life will take place at Magic's Pizza in Selah on December 13th at 1:00PM.