Don G. Woods

Don Woods, 85, passed away peacefully on January 13th, surrounded by his family.
He was born August 5, 1931 in Omaha, Nebraska to Royal and Leola Woods. He was raised on a farm outside of Haigler, NE and was the youngest of five children. He attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and obtained a degree in Health, P.E. and Biological Sciences in 1952.
After graduation, he served in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany.
He moved to Curtis, NE in 1955 where he was a biology instructor and athletic coach. He attended the University of Northern Colorado during the summers while working on his Master’s degree in Education. It was there where he met the love of his life, Phyllis Nieman. They were married in December of 1958.
In 1963, Don accepted a position at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota where he was an Associate Professor of Health and P.E. and the head wrestling coach. He received his Doctorate degree in Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1974. In 1978, the Woods family moved from Aberdeen to Cheyenne where he joined his brother in the construction business.
Don was active in his church and community and continued to do volunteer work after his retirement. He was a big University of Wyoming and University of Nebraska sports fan, a master gardener, and enjoyed fishing, reading and hiking. He and Phyllis were able to spend the last 18 winters in South Padre Island, TX, where he would spend his time fishing and on the beach. All five of his grandchildren credit him with teaching them how to fish.
Don and Phyllis were blessed with three children and five grandchildren. His greatest joy was being able to spend time with his family. He had a special way with his grandchildren to where they always wanted to do the right thing for their Granddad. They always said he was the wisest man they knew. He had the utmost respect of his family, his peers, and the many students he taught and coached throughout the years.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Royal and Raymond Woods, his sisters Laura Pearl Wall and Mildred Waters, and his beloved grandson, Jeremy Woods.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Phyllis Woods; his children Dave (Lisa) Woods of Dallas, Diane (Jeff) Gore of Cheyenne, Dan (Dana Schubert) Woods of Philadelphia; his grandchildren James Woods of Denver, Joshua (Lisa Spradlin) Gore of Miami Beach, Jacob Gore of Laramie and Jenna Gore of Cheyenne.
Those who wish may contribute to Trinity Lutheran Church or to a charity of their choice.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 19th, at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cheyenne.