Lonnie joined the armed forces shortly after graduating high school. He knew he would be drafted in the Army and much like the rest of his life he wanted it to be his choice so he joined the U.S. Navy. He was a Vietnam veteran and very proud of the tour he spent defending our country as a Bosun Mate on the USS Georgetown. He had a story about every port he ever went through and the shenanigans at every port. He was movie star handsome and never lacked for female company until his marriage in 1972. On October 13, he married Nancy Isabel Matthies in Wichita, Kansas. They were married on Friday the 13th much to chagrin of others who said it was a bad omen but they figured they would chance it. Over the next 50 years, they persevered through the happiest and toughest of times and everything in between. They did this with love, support, and a lot of questionable humor. They raised five children, had 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.
Lonnie was a poster child for Salt of the Earth. He worked hard all his adult life in auto and aviation upholstery; and owned several businesses in that trade. He would always say he learned at a young age that if you wanted something, you had to go find work and earn it. At 10 years old, to get comic books and a bicycle he wanted, he mowed lawns, threw papers, swept up the local grocery store and collected "pop" bottles to sell for money until he had earned enough for those things. He placed a high value on hard work.
Lonnie made relationships wherever he went. He was intoxicating and charismatic, but mostly he loved. He wouldn't shout from the rooftops he loved you or even say it often, but you felt it.
He would literally give his family or a friend whatever they needed and was always quick to offer help, for whatever reason. If you needed a few bucks until payday or to borrow a car temporarily, help moving or a place to stay for a night or so, he was right there to offer.
Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nancy Wood; siblings, Beverly McDonald, Melvilene Rust and Gordon "Bear" Wood, Jr.
Survivors include: his children, Lonnie Wood, Jr., Christopher and wife, Linda Wood, Thomas and wife, Abby Wood, Meredith and husband, Randy Smith, Wesley Wood; grandchildren, Isabel and Aaron Wood, Nathalia and Andres Camacho, Emily and Anthony Wood, Lauren, Abby and Kyle Wood, Anissa, Michael and Jonathan Wood, Brayden and Kylie Wood; 2 great-grandchildren; and sister, Marsha Wood, with whom he had a special relationship with from birth until his passing.
Celebration of Life service will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Resthaven Mortuary Chapel, 11800 W. Kellogg, Wichita, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with Starkey Inc., 4500 West Maple Street, Wichita, Kansas 67209.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ResthavenMortuary-Cemetery.com for the Wood family.
