In all his 86 years Larry never met a stranger. His larger-than-life personality commanded the room with humor and an endless supply of stories. Larry was a masterful storyteller, drawing on his rich life experiences to craft captivating stories, which he loved to share. As a lifelong learner, Larry had an infectious curiosity.
Larry spent his lifelong career as a successful entrepreneur and inventor. His passion for sales led him from selling photo packages on a road crew in the 1950s to launching the first of his own businesses, Wood Brother Industries. Along with his brother Ed, Larry introduced the manufacturing and selling of water conditioning and reverse osmosis technologies as well as other important watering filtering systems to the national market. The last five decades Larry owned and operated a successful home improvement business having invented the technology used in the production of both seamless vinyl and aluminum siding.
To say Larry was an artful, eccentric character does not begin to give that statement justice. He was also an extremely kind man with a huge heart. He always dove headfirst into diverse interests and hobbies having restored show quality cars from the 40s and 50s as well as collecting and restoring the most amazing architectural antiques. He also had a passion for motorcycles; competing in motocross races in the 1970s as well as spending countless hours at the motocross track that he built with his son, Kolby; and to no surprise to anyone, he was on that track giving it all he had into his late 50’s.
In his later years Larry reconnected with the love of his life, his childhood sweetheart, Sandra, and enjoyed settling into their quiet life together. Larry spent his time with his grandchildren, working on his vintage Willy’s Panel Wagon, continuing to run his business, and what a selling machine he was!
Larry Wood, the man, the myth, the legend. He will be greatly missed! His vibrant stories and infectious laugh will be missed dearly by his family and the countless people who he’s come to know as friends throughout his life. May he rest well, in peace.
Larry is survived by his Partner/wife Sondra Sweet, son Kolby (Sarah) Wood of Lincoln, stepdaughter Brooke (Doug) Golwas of Kiawah SC, siblings Dana (Toby) Spahr of Charleston SC, Sondra Wood of Hutchinson KS, Dan Wood of Hutchinson KS, and Ed (Kathy) Wood of Ogallala NE. Larry is also survived by his two granddaughters, Harlow and Norah Wood, and his best friend/favorite nephew, James Saylor.
No formal services are planned.