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George Ronald Wood, 81

George Ronald Wood, 81 years old, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away peacefully in hospice with friends and family by his side, due to complications of Lewy body dementia, on Jan. 20, 2019. Ron was born on Sept. 17, 1937, in Wenatchee, Wash., to George Barclay Wood and Rosellen Augusta Conrad. Ron graduated from Omak High School in 1955.

He married Darlene Stalder on May 7, 1959, in Omak, Wash., where they lived and raised their three boys: Bill, Don and Duke, until January of 1969, when they moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They later divorced in 1980. Ron met Valerie Christiansen in 1992, they married in 1996 where he welcomed Valerie’s three children: Alicia, Cameron and Bria. They lived in Post Falls until he passed.

Ron began his route driving career in Okanogan, Wash., with Eddie’s Bread Co., and later transferred to Hostess in 1969, where he finished his 30-year career. After that retirement he worked for the Post Falls School District as a bus driver for 15 years.

Ron loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was a devoted father, loyal husband and a role model to his two younger brothers and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a natural athlete, loved to compete, and excelled in basketball, football, baseball and track, where he held the county javelin record through high school.

Ron was the definition of a gentleman and a true cowboy; a man of character and always willing to help friends and family without hesitation. He spent his days hunting, fishing, horseback riding, participating in competitive team-roping, trail riding in the high mountains, and pushing cattle. He enjoyed his trips down to Oregon to go salmon fishing with his brothers.

He enjoyed watching Duke, his youngest son, coach basketball. Ron treasured all his grandchildren and enjoyed watching them play athletics while rooting them on from the sidelines. He loved to go to Las Vegas for the WCC tournament every year to cheer on his beloved Zags and visit his Vegas family. Ron could make conversation with anyone and welcomed everyone into his home and heart and everyone valued the time they spent with him.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Kathy Wood Morris of Forest Grove, Ore. He is survived by his wife, Valerie; sons, Bill (Jackie) of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Don of Careywood, Idaho and Duke (Marcelle) of Moses Lake, Wash.; brothers, Joe (Jan) of Forest Grove and Dan (Dana) of Portland, Ore.; eight nieces and nephews; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His stories and fun hearted character will be remembered and treasured forever in the lives of those who were so blessed to know him.

Please join us as we honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Ron between 3 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, at Hayden Lake Eagles, 1520 W. Wyoming Ave., Hayden, ID 83835.