Bonnie Ruth Wood

Bonnie Ruth Wood, 79, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Concordia Life Plan Community. She was born on June 25, 1946, in Oklahoma City. Bonnie and her two sisters were baptized in St. John’s Lutheran Church in Shawnee on November 9, 1951.

Beginning in 1953, Bonnie was a devoted member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Midwest City, where she served on numerous boards and committees throughout the years. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life and guided everything she did.

On April 30, 1976, Bonnie married the love of her life, Bill Wood–a gregarious political science major from Burbank who came to Oklahoma for golfing and a career in sales. Bill was her source of strength and comfort for sixteen wonderful years before his death. She is survived by her sisters, Kay Johnson of Monett, Missouri, and Jo Chesher of Oklahoma City; her nephews, Jeff Johnson and Scott Chesher (Tessa); her niece, Janet Ryder (Jeff); and her three great-nephews, Jackson Ryder, Kaleb Chesher, and Ethan Chesher. In addition to her husband, Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, Oakley and Ellena, as well as her brothers-in-law, Milton Johnson and William Chesher.

Bonnie graduated from Midwest City High School in 1964. She continued her education at St. John’s Junior College in Winfield, Kansas, and later at Central State University in Edmond, where she earned a master’s degree in guidance and psychology.

Her teaching career began in 1967 as a kindergarten teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School in Okarche, Oklahoma. Over the next eight years, she taught second grade in Cherokee, served as the school psychometrist in Fort Towson, Grant, and Valiant, and worked as a Parent Education Teacher in the Bethany Public Schools. In 1978, Bonnie joined Western Heights Public Schools as the Gifted and Talented teacher–a role she held for the remainder of her life. Her remarkable career spanned 62 years, including 48 at Western Heights.

Bonnie believed that the greatest– and most humble–name one could be called is teacher. She lived with a great sense of purpose, reminding herself that, “Each morning is another chance to be the teacher you’ve dreamed of being,” and “Always have a vase ready for the dandelions students bring you.” Teaching and learning permeated her life. She believed learning should be innovative, joyful, and deeply connected to real life.

Bonnie’s students were her children, and throughout her career, she had hundreds of them–from elementary students to high school seniors. She and Bill also hosted a few students in their home, whom they considered their children. She loved helping students reach their potential and was especially passionate about guiding them toward college opportunities. Attorneys, doctors, educators, business leaders, and professionals around the world credit Bonnie as one of the most influential people in their lives. She mentored new teachers, sponsored countless school clubs, and gave generously of her time and resources to students in need.

Beyond her work in education, Bonnie found great joy in creativity and nostalgia. She was fun and curious with a child-like enthusiasm for learning and playing. She loved designing layouts for Lionel trains and took delight in collecting paper dolls, wind-up toys, and Campbell’s soup memorabilia. Her hobbies reflected the same joy she brought into the classroom.

To list all the committees and organizations Bonnie served would fill a book, but among her many honors were being named both Western Heights Teacher of the Year and Oklahoma Association for the Gifted, Creative, and Talented (OAGCT) Teacher of the Year. She was a charter member of both the Oklahoma City Community Foundation Counselor Group and OAGCT. She also served on the education board for the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bonnie’s memory to the LAUNCH Scholarship Fund (Launchscholarshipfund.org) at Western Heights School or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Midwest City, Oklahoma. Memorial services will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 700 N. Air Depot Blvd, Midwest City, on Wednesday, January 21, at 10:30 a.m.