Don Wood

Donald Fredrick Wood
17 Apr 1948 - 11 Dec 2023

Clubs & Associations

Biography

Don Wood's interest in Square Dancing began in 1959. After lessons, he was introduced to calling by his instructor. He left square dancing for several years while in the service but rejoined the activity in 1979. In 1981 he began calling in earnest, and with the help of several national callers has begun to make his mark. Mr. Wood calls through the C1 level with an occasional venture into C2. He has been features at several festivals and square dance resorts throughout the country and maintains a successful home program in the Seattle/Tacoma area.^[1]

Quick Facts

on the IAGSDC convention calling staff at
- Explode The Rose
- Wheel & Deal
Taught 3 Mainstream classes for Puddletown Squares
on the staff of the first West Coast A&C fly-in
frequently caller at Puddletown Squares fly-ins
Don's caller profile on ceder.net

Obituary

Donald Fredrick Wood, age 75, of Lacey, Washington, passed away on December 11, 2023, in Kirkland, Washington.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at the Kitsap Square Dance Association Hall, 6800 W Belfair Valley Road, Bremerton, WA 98312, followed by a potluck luncheon and square dance.

Don was born in Spokane, Washington, to Leland and Iris Wood on April 17, 1948. He went to school in Tacoma, Washington.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in the Vietnam War. He was a submariner on several subs, including the USS Halibut. During his military career, he received multiple awards, including a Presidential citation. In his civilian life, he worked as a Senior Computer Architect for the State of Washington, L&I, for 32 years.

He married Marie Bachler on March 27, 1995, in Olympia, Washington.

Don was heavily involved in the square dance community as a dancer and caller. He loved music, entertaining, and teaching dancers of all ages. He had often said fondly that his time as the club caller for the Mavericks, a teen square dance club, challenged him to be a better caller. He called for many clubs and festivals over the years and traveled worldwide calling square dances; he has called in England, Australia, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, as well as most of the United States. He co-owned Lou-Mac Records, where he recorded and produced square dance music. He was honored and very proud to have received the 2014 Parker Award for his and Marie’s contribution and dedication to the square and round dancing community that he loved.

Don is preceded in death by both parents and his sisters, Christine Ann Lehr and Sandra Jean Weaver.

Don is survived by his wife of 28 years, Marie; son, Kenneth Michael Wood and his wife, Tammy; son, Derek Matthew Wood; son, Joseph Nathaniel Wood and his wife, Rachel; son, Christopher Joseph Wood and his wife, Amanda; son, Tyler Morgan Wood; grandchildren, Sabrina, Veronica, Cecelia, Miranda, Liam, Layla and Tristan; and his brother, James Elliott Wood and his wife LaRayne.^[2]

Remembrances

We all gathered at Ghorst today to celebrate the life of Don Wood!! What a sight to behold… saw so many people from all over and out of the state!! It is a tribute to all the lives Don touched! All the callers who performed today did songs that either Don Wood produced or had a hand in, and we had people standing because the hall ran out of chairs for the services!!! I only got a few pictures but wanted to share… the singing call Leo Catt did was one that he holds close to his heart and one of his favorites!!! RIP Don, I hope you saw everything from above and smiling to know how many people came to honor you today and that you are already working on projects with the greats that have gone before you from the Square and Round dance hall in the sky!!! You are greatly missed!!!!!
— Rochelle Pratt-Catt