Jeffery "Woody" Wood

Jeffery L. Wood of Toledo, OH, was entrusted to the grace of God on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, in the presence of his family after battling congestive heart failure. He was born July 10th, 1954, to Pryor J. and Alice J. (Frankhart) Wood.

A proud member of UAW Local 12, he started at Daimler Chrysler on the production line in 1973 when he was eighteen and worked his way up to Team Leader on Eight Dock. He mentored many coworkers along the way before retiring in 2005. He was a talented musician and photographer, classic car aficionado and skilled auto mechanic. He was a BBQ chicken grill master and loved cruising around in his Corvette with his dog, Riah, and step-son, Don. He loved rock music, especially his favorites Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Led Zepplin, Heart, and Kansas. His favorite songs were "Stairway to Heaven" and "Wayward Son" with the great guitar riffs he could play so well on his classic Fender Stratocaster. Jeff was always up for taking long bicycle rides and camping among the trees.

Jeff is survived by his daughter, Angela (AJ) Wood-Christie; granddaughter, Ava; his step-children, Audrey (Tony) Simmons, Donald (Tia) Frankforther, Jason (Tammy) Frankforther; and step-grandchildren, Christopher, Alex, Albert Jr, James, and Wayne.

He is also survived by his siblings, Marjorie (Bill) Hider, James (April) Wood, Barry Wood, Gary Wood, Douglas (Mary Beth) Wood, Alison (Curt) Wood-Osmun, and his nieces and nephews. And to his favorite cousin, Michael Wood and friends, Brian Odom, Charlie Lowe (Little Woody), Deb Carncross, Merry Manjarrez, and Mike Hubbard, thank you for being there when he needed extra care these last months. He loved you all. Special thanks to Renee Hatch, you were a lifeline.

He was joyously greeted and welcomed into the next life by his parents; his wife, Mary Ellen Wood; and his niece, Angel Osmun.

Jeff’s left us much too soon. The crushing anxiety, depression and chronic back pain he began experiencing as a thirteen-year-old and continued throughout his life, led to his lifelong addiction to alcohol and nicotine and later to prescribed prescription painkillers.

In valiant defiance of his struggles, he forged a meaningful life full of love and many joys. Jeff was a man of his word, always keeping his promises. He was compassionate and generous, always lending a hand. Even in death, he donated both tissue and bone to help others. He was a fun, giving and caring brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend.

He adored his daughter, Angie, and had a special bond with his stepson, Don, and kid siblings, Doug and Alison. He was a loving and devoted husband, caring for his wife, Mary, during her cancer. Her death in 2018 left him brokenhearted. Jeff looked forward to and took comfort in the phone conversations with his brother, Jim. He shared a love of music with his sister, Marjorie. It was sweet magic when his guitar playing and her singing combined.

Be at peace, Jeff. “Lay your weary head to rest.” “A new day will dawn for those who stand strong and the forests will echo with laughter.”

A Celebration of Life among the trees and highlighting wonderful memories and great rock music with spectacular riffs will be planned later.