Gerry Richard Woods
Obituary

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Gerry Woods. Gerry was born on May 20, 1942 to Glenn and Marie Woods in St. Joseph, Missouri. His family relocated to Southern California a couple of years later where he spent most of his childhood.  Through his journey of 84 years, he touched many lives with his boundless energy, humor and unwavering spirit.

As one of the older of nine siblings, he was always looking out for and taking care of his younger brothers and sisters. One night, when there was a fire in the family home and it began to fill with smoke, he alerted everyone and was able to get all the kids and his parents out safely.

He graduated from Anaheim High School in 1960. Gerry was an entrepreneur and never shied away from a challenge. As a young adult he worked alongside his father to learn the art and business of a butcher. Together, they ran and owned a successful meat packing business delivering meat to customers throughout Southern California. After his dad passed, Gerry moved to Sacramento and established a small grocery store that included a fresh meat and deli counter. Several years later he returned to southern California where he worked in the construction business with his sister and brother-in-law.

As a young man, he was always involved in something. He started out loving photography and would develop the film in the “dark room” which was the one and only bathroom in the family home. Needless to say, it did disrupt the family somewhat! He played football in middle and high school, sold popcorn and sodas at the Roller Derby events, and could be found at the local car races on the weekends.
From racing stock cars for a number of years, he finally settled into racing midget cars and competed all around California. As he matured, he enjoyed driving ski boats.

Gerry always made an effort to spend time with his large, extended family, whether that be on house boating trips to Lake Shasta or family reunions and gatherings around the state. After living in Sacramento, he returned to Southern California settling in Thousand Palms, California with his wife Peggy.

He will be greatly missed and forever remembered by his family and friends.

Gerry is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Dean, Keith, Kent, and Vernon, his sisters Jeanne, Joanne, and Suzan, and his son Gerry II. He is survived by his wife Peggy, his sister Joyce, his daughters: Debra, Kimberly, and Christina, his sons: Russell and Steven, fifteen grandchildren, numerous great and great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

There will not be a memorial service at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno or your favorite charity.