Joe Wood

Joseph Ray Wood, known to his friends and family as Joe, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 16, 2024, at the age of 93. Born on September 24, 1931, to William Dudley and Martha Frattie Wood in St. Clair County, Missouri, Joe lived a life filled with love, laughter, and dedication to both his work and family. He graduated from Higginsville High School in 1949 and married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Jean Trigg, on June 30, 1951, in Higginsville, beginning a lifelong partnership. A hardworking and skilled bricklayer, Joe spent over 40 years in the construction industry. He was initiated into Local 24 Bricklayers Union of Sedalia and later became a member of Local 15 Bricklayers Union of Kansas City. He was a volunteer firefighter with the Higginsville Fire Department for 27 years. He served on the Building Committee for First Baptist Church and as an Ambassador for John Knox Village where he enjoyed meeting and welcoming new people. His craft and business was a source of pride, but it was his outgoing personality and infectious sense of humor that truly set him apart. Joe had an unparalleled ability to make others laugh, always leaving a lasting impression with his witty, unpredictable jokes. Joe's family was his greatest joy. He found peace and happiness in simple moments—whether cruising the local dairy farm in his rusty green pickup, taking a trip to the boat, enjoying a cup of coffee with friends, or simply being surrounded by those he loved. He was particularly proud of his ever-expanding family, which included a growing list of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Joe is survived by his three sons: Rick Wood, Ron (Marty) Wood, and Randy (Tabatha Gordon) Wood; six grandchildren: Jill (Kyle) Warren, Ryan (Cindy) Wood, Clint (Keely) Wood, Rori (Scott) Schreiman, Quade (Kortney) Wood, and Teri (Brian) Eckhoff; and 16 great-grandchildren: Bailey (Wyatt) Wilkinson, Logan Warren, Drake Wood, Jaidyn Wood, Regan Wood, Owen Wood, Chandler Himbury, Cooper Himbury, Corbyn Himbury, Reece Schreiman, Rhett Schreiman, Finley Wood, Claire Wood, London Eckhoff, Beckett Eckhoff, and Brooks Eckhoff. Joe also leaves behind two great-great-grandchildren, Koe and Krew Wilkinson, as well as his siblings, Gene Wood, Marcine Morgan, and Pearle Alumbaugh and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara; his parents, Dudley and Frattie Wood; his sister Maxine Grizzell; brothers-in-law Kenneth Morgan and Frank Alumbaugh; and his sister-in-law Jimmie Jean Wood. A celebration of Joe’s life will be held on December 30, 2024, at First Baptist Church, 1907 N Peach St, Higginsville, MO. Visitation will begin at 10 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Joe’s memory to Higginsville Fire and EMS. Joe's spirit, his laughter, and his love for his family will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Joe Wood

September 24, 1931 - December 16, 2024