Frank Ray Wood

A true adventurer at heart, Frank Ray Wood embarked on his greatest journey when he entered Paradise on December 31st, after several years of battling an auto immune disease. Born in Dakota City, Nebraska to William Wood and Lessie Carlson, Frank dreamed of voyages, building little wooden boats to sail on the Missouri. His elder brother, Jim, helped the family move to Algona, Washington, and Frank began work on the family raspberry farm, already hiring and supervising fellow workers at a young age. After graduating from Auburn High School, Frank completed one tour in the Army. His father died soon after his return home, but the lessons he taught stayed with Frank through a 50 year career with Boeing Aircraft Company, where Frank’s hard work, integrity and kindness lead him to a position as second level supervisor in fabrication (a punch press specialist), and gained him many loyal friends and co-workers. Throughout his life, Frank enjoyed mountain climbing (a member of the Mountaineers, he ascended both Mt’s Rainier and Baker), hunting and camping. He volunteered at the Hydroplane Museum, and thrilled to be part of making the limited-release movie Madison with Bruce Dern and Jim Caviezel.

By far, Frank’s greatest love was his darling wife, Ollie, with whom he shared over 52 years of companionship, dreams and devotion. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jim and sister-in-law, Marie, his sister Ethel, and Frank and Ollie’s baby daughter, Kimberly. He is survived by his beloved Ollie, as well as a sister in Washington, and several nieces and nephews. Frank was especially close to his nephew Doug Parry, and niece Joyce Parry-Moore, and their families, and he loved many close friends, especially the Crutcher Family, Leonard, Judy and daughters Rose, Cheryl, Connie and Victoria and their families.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 15, at 11 a.m. at Saint James Episcopal Church, in Kent Washington, 24447 94th Ave. S Kent, WA 98030, (253) 852-4450.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you bring donations of non-perishable food items to Saint James, or donate online to the Auburn Food Bank, theauburnfoodbank.org.