Darrell Woods

A Memorial Service for Darrell “D.F.” Woods, is 1:30 pm, Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the Arnett United Methodist Church. Services are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

Darrell Fred Woods, 84, passed peacefully into the presence of Jesus on December 13, 2019. He was born to Acy Hugh Woods and Alsie Mae (Smith) Woods on a snowy May 4, 1935, in Shattuck, Oklahoma. His first few years of life were spent in the teacherage of Luther Hill, a small country school located between Laverne and Shattuck, OK. D.F. attended first and second grade there, where his mother was his second grade teacher. In 1943, the Woods family moved to Arnett, OK, where he graduated in the Class of 1953, serving as Sr. Class President. For a time after graduation, D.F. worked at Chestnut’s Feed and Grain store.

On December 24, 1953, D.F. married Betty Jean Davis. Their first home was 3 1/2 miles north of Arnett. They subsequently moved to his grandfather’s farm, which they purchased in 1961. In 1969, D.F. and Betty relocated to their newly built brick home 1/4 mile east of the old Woods homestead. They lived there, until they moved to their part-time residence in a retirement community in Enid, OK.

Darrell Fred worked as a farmer, rancher, and dairyman, dedicating over 45 years to the farm with father-in-law, Kenneth Davis. Later, he worked in the oilfield with a pickup and laydown machine. After leaving farming and the oilfield, he and Betty transported travel trailers, from the manufacturer to dealers all over the US.

More than anything else, D.F. loved to be with his family. When his daughter, Roxie, was young, they spent hours together, either on horseback, or driving through shinnery thickets “down south.” He loved to fish, especially with his sons, Mark and Todd. He enjoyed fishing trips with friends and family, including a family Canadian fishing trip, and many overnight trips to Foss Lake, and other fishing spots. Darrel Fred was also an avid quail hunter. It was a family tradition for him. He grew up hunting with his father, uncles, brothers, and later, his sons, and friends.

He loved people and would strike up a conversation with anyone, at anytime, often to the dismay of Betty. He always had a story to relate. His ability to remember details, past events, and people was phenomenal.

He was generous, putting others before himself. A very devoted husband to Betty, he never forgot an anniversary, birthday or holiday. He was very loving father, and was not afraid to give advice, and share the wisdom that he’d gained from his beloved father and grandfather. He always admonished his daughter and two sons to speak the truth, never steal anything, respect your elders, and pay your debts. He told them that they could “do anything they set their mind to,” and “go to college, get a degree in anything, go make your millions, and then come back to the farm.”

D. F. was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 63 years, a long-time member of First United Methodist Church of Arnett, and had more than once, professed his belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ.

Darrell Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Acy and Alsie. He is survived by, and will be sorely missed by his wife of 66 years, Betty, daughter Roxana (Parker), of Peachtree City, GA, sons Mark (Trina), Grove, OK, and Todd (Christi), Perry, OK; seven grandchildren, Kelli (Rob) Fleming, Kyle (Natalie) Whitson, Kathryn (Jason) Thomas, Taylor (Rick) Lovell, Kiersten, Kayla, and Aiden Woods, two step grandchildren, Peyton and Parker Haley, nine great-grandchildren, siblings Yvonna McDonald, Jim (Arlene), Anita (Clinton) Stahlman, Jack (Suzie), many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Condolences may be made at www.ladusauevans.com.