Dewey Lee Wood, Sr.

Funeral services for Dewey Lee Wood, Sr, 91, of Skiatook, OK, were held Friday, September 20, 2024, at Johnson Funeral Chapel in Sperry, OK. Reverend Wayne Hayes officiated, and burial was in Rest Haven Cemetery in Sperry, OK. Casket bearers were Michael Byers, Russ Phillips, Colton Phillips, Jeremy Davis, Christopher Wood, and Gavin Wood. Honorary Casket bearers were Kaden Holland, Christian Byers, Elijah Marshall, Grady Wood, Kobe Cantrell, Heath Cantrell, Aaron Jenlink, and Andrew Marshall.

Dewey, a man with an unwavering resolve and unprecedented work ethic, was born November 17, 1932, in Tulsa, OK, one of six children to Charlie Cleo Wood and Bessie Susan (Nevel) Wood. He departed his family on September 14, 2024, while sleeping, at the ripe age of 91 years and 10 months, in Owasso, OK.

His grandfather said he would be the last to leave this Earth of all the kids due to unrelenting spirit, and he was correct. From the stories he would tell, Dewey’s childhood was full of hard work, perseverance, and good times—traditions he carried into his adulthood. Dewey spent the majority of his days in the Tulsa area with the exception of the time his dad sent him packing to California so he could learn real hard work and his time in the military overseas. Dewey served in the United States Army as a mechanic and was stationed in Japan from 1953 to 1955. On June 24, 1955, Dewey married his love, LaDonna “Donna” (Johnson) Marie Wood. The two were married nearly 60 years before her passing. Both Scorpios, their competing passion and vinegar tempers made holidays and family dinners full of life, humor and the rolling of eyes! Dewey and Donna had three children, Shelia, Teri, and Dewey, Jr. (“Rusty”). Dewey and Donna helped to raise several grandchildren as well. They supported daughter, Shelia, and her husband, Danny, as the young couple raised their infant daughter, Heidi, and eventually welcomed their son Michael. They engaged daily with granddaughters, Ashley and Jenny, and grandsons, Jeremy and Christopher, who lived only houses away. For Chris, Dewey was the only father he ever knew. They also raised a granddaughter, Samanthia, as their own from infancy to adulthood—to her eternal gratitude. Dewey never complained about the early morning school rides or afternoon pickups, late night homework, grandkid driving lessons, or all the school clothes and gifts Donna would buy. Both Dewey and Donna gave to their family fully and without question. Dewey spent his adult career as a proud ironworker and Local 584 Union Ironworker member (65 years!), sharing stories about how he worked on the Tulsa World building, the Bartlesville Performing Arts Center, and other builds around the State. The injuries he suffered on the job horrified many a grandchild and stranger! Even after falling three stories and shattering both feet and being told he would never walk again, Dewey eventually got sick of being in the wheelchair, taught himself to walk, and went back to work for another two decades. His work ethic was unrivaled, showing up younger men (including his sons-in-law), and working into the night on his own projects after working a full day at a jobsite and doing it all again the next day. Even as a man in his late eighties, suffering with arthritis, he always sought ways to put his hands to work, running with his pal, Rusty, from fence to vehicle to welding torch. Dewey was a storyteller. His stories were always interesting and colorful and probably about 70% true and 30% big fish, to Donna’s dismay. To hear Dewey tell a story with Donna’s clarifications and repetitive, “That’s not how it happened,” while he just kept on telling his story was great family theater. Dewey enjoyed playing Mexican Train and cards with his wife and kids, recalling memories of dancing at the local roundup club and adventurous childhood, reading history books, rolling coins, taking Sunday drives, and eating Donna’s food, especially once she learned how to make biscuits properly thanks to his mother. No matter how outraged the two of them got at each other (baby goats!), Dewey always praised Donna’s great cooking and mothering, and after her premature passing, spent months visiting her grave daily. And now Dewey has left this world to join his beloved wife, who we imagine set a giant table of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon, biscuits, salad, cut onion, chocolate cake and a giant glass of milk. The family is taking bets on how long it takes before a spat breaks out--probably about how long it took for him to get to Heaven! Dewey’s passing leaves a large void for a large family, forever grateful for their steadfast Patriarch and Matriarch. They mourn Dewey, Donna, and an era past.

He is survived by his children, Shelia (Wood) Byers and husband, Danny, Teri Wood, Dewey Lee “Rusty” Wood, Jr. and wife, Derryle; grandchildren, Heidi Phillips and husband, Russ, Michael Byers and wife, Stacey, Samanthia Sierakowki-Marshall and husband, Andrew, Ashley Holland and Aaron Jenlink, Jeremy Davis and wife, Deborah, Jennifer Buckner and Heath Cantrell, Christopher Wood and wife, Tailor, Jody Cullison, Jamie Woodall and husband, Travis, and Colby Coulson and Christy; great-grandchildren, Colton, Carsyn, Brooke, Kaden (“Tyger”), Jordan, Jayden, Gavin (“Bear”), Harper, Christian, Jayliana, Elijah, Gentry, Remi, Grady, Kobe, Desiree and Damian; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Ladonna Marie Wood; parents, Charlie and Bessie Wood; brothers and sisters, "Tony" Wood, "Sonny" Wood, Maxine Branham, "Ace" Wood, and Arlene Snell.

Dad, Grandpa, Papa Dewey--we'll miss you more than you know. Give Mom, Grandma Donna a hug for us. Love you. Us.

Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Sperry.

Online condolences to the family can be made at johnsonsperry.com.