"While we were not able to be with you and family, Jill, you all were in our hearts. Many have written about their experiences with Kerry?we can only echo their time with him. We was a very caring, loving, giving person that touched each life he came in contact with. He is be missed by many for many reasons?but mostly because he loved life and those who participated in with him. We will continue to hold you all in our hearts. Love to you all Jane & Barry "
In loving memory of
Kerry Wood
July 12, 1952 - August 30, 2021
SCOTTSDALE- After 69 joy-filled years on Earth, Kerry Wood passed away on August 30th, 2021, surrounded by family.
He was born on July 12th, 1952 to Dale and Lezley Wood in Lima, Ohio. He was the youngest of three children, preceded in birth by his brother Richard and sister Raylene. He moved to Texas in the 70's where he met the love of his life, Jill Watley while working in the health club industry. They were married on January 9th, 1981 in Midland, TX. They had two children, Lyndsey and Brandon. The health club industry took them to Austin, TX in 1982 where they would raise their family for the next thirteen years. The family relocated to Scottsdale, AZ in 1995 where he continued his career as a vice president of a large corporation of fitness centers. Kerry had a successful career owning and running health clubs throughout the southwest. Professionally, he was known for creating loyalty among his employees and helping them achieve their full potential.
He was a very involved father, continuously ensuring that his children always had every opportunity to succeed both in their education and their other interests. He was available at any moment to help his daughter to achieve her goals and lend an ear with his wise counsel in all life matters. He was very active in the Horizon High School baseball community and spent countless hours on the field investing in his son and many other young players. He mentored many young professionals in various industries.
Kerry was a loving husband to Jill. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary just this year. He brought love and laughter into each day they shared together. When his children married, he took on the role of father-in-law, leading his family with a foundation of love. He offered emotional and professional guidance to his son-in-law Kevin Huff and daughter-in-law Elly Wood. He became a grandfather in 2007 with the birth of his first grandchild. The role of Grandpa became a central focus in his life. He continued to pour love and wisdom into his grandchildren: Grace, Abigail, Brooks, and Chance. His generosity and sense of humor live on in each of them. He brought joy to his family with his ornery antics, misinterpreted song lyrics, teasing, and countless inside jokes. His presence was truly larger than life demonstrated by both his 6'5" frame and contagious personality. People from all walks of life were drawn to Kerry.
In his retirement, he built friendships with everyone from the contractor to the money manager. The strength of his friendships is further evidenced by relationships that spanned his lifetime. Throughout his life, Kerry loved to spend the morning on the golf course, travel with his wife, and smoke cigars on his patio while watching the news.
He is preceded in death by his parents and survived by his wife Jill, his daughter Lyndsey Huff and son Brandon, his son-in-law, Kevin, daughter-in-law Elly, his brother Richard and sister Raylene McGinnis, and grandchildren Grace Huff, Abigail Huff, Brooks Wood, and Chance Wood.
Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, September 5th at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary, 6500 E. Bell Rd, Scottsdale. A reception will follow services from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm.
For the service, the Family has the following message about attire:
We all know Kerry loved his Tommy Bahama t-shirts! We would love to keep the dress casual with island-inspired T-shirts and/or colors for the service.
Tributes
"My deepest condolences to the Wood/Huff families. Kerry was selfless, caring and raised a great family! He is missed! -Jason "
"I owe my life several times over to mr. wood. He was clearly the brightest light on the block growing up. He loved his family, he loved his dog, and he loved his lawn. If we all had fathers like kerry this world would know true peace. He wasn?t one in a million, this man was literally one in 7 billion+. I am very thankful to have known kerry wood, his fireside chats by the chiminea with me every day when I got home from school are the stuff legends are born of. Kerry was the strongest, nicest, friendliest person towards me that I have ever met who wasn?t directly related to me. I hope I see you again, grandpa; if only for a brief moment before they turn me away at the gates. I will always love you kerry. The last text you sent me validates both my life and our friendship. Rest In Peace, this is the toughest loss to take."
"jill, lindsey,brandon, kevin,' TODAY WAS A MARVELOUS TRIBUTE TO A WONDERFUL GENTLEMAN, WHO ENRICHED ALL OUR LIVES. KERRY LEAVES A GREAT LEGACY,..... A LOVING CARING FAMILY., AND GREAT JOY FOR EVERYONE HE TOUCHED. OUR LOVE TO YOU ALL, kim,. cindy, debbie , and pat dalton ,"
"Kerry was one of a kind. Always Caring and interested in what was going on in your life, good or bad. He loved helping people and animals. They in turn loved him. I will always have fond memories of him. I watched how he loved Jill. Whether he was fixing dinner or running errands. Always a cheerful greeting. Rest In Peace Kerry and if you happen to see Hugo say hello. "
"There are so many loving memories of Kerry it's hard to pick just one. My husband fell and I could not lift him. I called Jill and Kerry, they rushed over. Kerry lifted him up with respect and the kind of gentle humor that made a horrible moment pass gently. He was that way with everyone. Our prayers and thoughts go to Jill and family, I feel your pain. With Love and gratitude to know Kerry, Laura & Jon Crow"