Steven J Wood

Steven J. Wood started a new adventure on the morning of August 17, 2024. He resided in Grayling, MI after becoming a full-time artist, self-appointed canoe guide, and Twin Pine Rd. taxi driver in 2015. He also found good company while dwelling in Mound, MN and Lima, OH after moving on from his beloved hometowns of Alma and St. Louis, Michigan. Against better judgement, he lived for a spell in Winter Park, FL in the early 70’s.

Steven’s life and legend exists beyond imagination but lies somewhere between the adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, the rebelliousness of Holden Caufield, the search and longing of Sal Paradise, and the kindred spirit of a mid- late 20th century Nick Adams.

Born April 11, 1953, his youth was spent hopping trains to Breckenridge, rigging vending machines to dispense beer, and throwing firecrackers on cop cars. He left home first thing in the morning and didn’t return until after dusk, or sometimes even at all. He could have been a freshman partying with the seniors on Higgins Lake, or attending an all-night old-fashioned Lake Michigan Smelt run, even if he got the belt the next day for arriving late to his dad's truck garage on Michigan Ave. Nothing could hurt him though; not even a wild bull ride at the stock yard during a covert mission with conspiratorial cousin.

He wasn’t all trouble; he loved the Beatles, Hendrix, and Clapton. He stood up for his sisters and crushed on his 5th grade teacher, especially after Kennedy was shot. He learned to water ski on Houghton Lake behind a 40 horse Johnson motor on a fishing boat. He played football hard and raced his muscle cars harder. He went deer hunting in Clare, rode snowmobiles all winter and took his dad’s Harley for a joy ride when no one was looking, and until he could buy his own.

He paved roads the day after he graduated from St. Louis High School in 1971. He hitchhiked to Florida to live with Navy buddies. He ran from packs of stray dogs in Atlanta. He befriended guys in Hells Angels and never acquiesced to the suits. He lived in pool halls and dive bars. His chivalry got him in more than one fight, but also got him more than one date. He crashed a ‘61 Corvette doing 120 and lived to tell the tale, but never outlived the regret.

For all his good looks and incredible strength, Steve encountered many tests. As a youngster he had so many illnesses they formulated the MMR and TDap vaccines just for him. He broke his legs multiple times, including one that almost required amputation. He shattered every bone in his right foot when he tipped too far back riding a wheelie, as a 45-year-old. He almost relieved himself of his left index finger on a chainsaw carving masterpiece. He had chickenpox twice but never got Covid-19. He once “mistakenly” took LSD after winning three games of pool at the Shepherd Bar. Not coincidentally, he lived on “the farm” near Breckenridge with three of his best friends where a large grey cloud once turned out to be a UFO.

At the ripe age of 31, after dating a Playboy bunny, Steve met Laura at the St. Louis 7-11. Steve, known to most as “Woody”, had spending money after recently hiring into maintenance at the Total Refinery in 1984. Obtaining his first job with a retirement plan and health insurance, they quickly settled down and had a family that they raised south of town in Alma on five acres, with a barn, a camper, and an above ground pool. The hobby farm eventually gave way to a low maintenance fish tank and weekend trips to swim meets. Gone were the days of The Meteor Bar antics, and here to stay were the days of family bike rides and sideline soccer game cheering; though he never lost the ability to identify a classic car from two blocks away.

Steve embraced his role in fatherhood, even if he wasn’t able to escape a grocery shopping trip without a lengthy conversation with an old friend. He even saved enough money to send his kids to college. He sacrificed a lot by keeping his family in Alma while working at the oil refinery and living on his own in Lima, OH for five years before Laura joined him full time for another decade in Ohio from 2005 - 2015. Their children graduated from Alma High School and went on to attend college at the University of Minnesota and Eastern Michigan University, respectively.

Steve and Laura pursued their love of northern Michigan and were able to achieve their lifelong dream of living near the water when they purchased land on the banks of the Au Sable River in Grayling, Michigan in 2008. Over time, they built their dream cabin and a community of friends along the river. They embraced the canoeing and fly-fishing way of life with the small-town pace. There was an open invitation to friends and family, and it was here at their tranquil abode that they received many a warm visitor.

Steve also spent a great deal of time caring for his five grandchildren. From changing diapers to learning sign language and giving art and driving lessons, Steve was never one to shy away from helping with the little ones. He was fondly known as “Bapa” and “Grampdaddy”; and was an excellent provider of blueberry pancakes and leg swings. His Kirtland Community college art hangs proudly on the walls of his home and his family’s homes.

His roasting stick sharpening, artistry, carpentry, and mechanical skills will be sorely missed; almost as much as his cheerful nature and sometimes humorous, but always clever, dad jokes. Trivia, Jeopardy, and crossword puzzles will go unsolved without his presence. The local classic rock station can reopen after he bankrupted them from winning too many contests.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Laura Wood, as well as his son Zach (Erika) Wood of Maple Grove, MN and daughter Summer (Sam) Janicki of Mound, MN, and his five grandchildren; his brother Jerry Wood (Shepherd, MI), and sisters Vicki Boyles, Nancy Soto, Amy Wood, Karen Frederick, Vicki Clark Mayan, Debbie Clark, Terri Clark; and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Wood, of Breckenridge, Michigan, and mother, Shirley Wood, of Alma, Michigan; and his sister Tracy White, of Taylorsville, NC.

Steve lived an authentic and enthusiastic life of joy, care, love, integrity, humor, and strength. He lived during the greatest time in history, and was, by all accounts, the most interesting man in the world. Steve condones tributes of the following manner: planting a tree - especially a blue spruce, listening to some bluesy classic rock, drinking a cold beer, drinking a cold beer while canoeing, and giving hugs to those you love most.