Richard Brazier Woods

Richard Brazier Woods was born on one of the coldest days ever in Helena, Montana (Feb 10, 1933) and died Nov 22, 2024 in Corvallis, Oregon. But neither his birth place nor his death place represent where he lived the majority of his life. His early years were primarily in Salt Lake City Utah where Richard lived with his younger sister, mother, and grandmother; he also had close relationships with friends, neighbors, and extended family (some in Montana). After growing up he married and eventually settled his family in Medford, Oregon where he lived for 58 years. As a young man, Richard loved drawing, and after watching the movie Fantasia he dreamed of becoming a Disney animator. But his aspirations didn’t stop there--he was practical and well-rounded, a good student who served as the editor of his high school yearbook. As a teenager he built a bathroom and a porch onto his family home. He manifest these same skills later when he built on a large addition to a house for his own growing family. Richard was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many ways throughout his life in faith-related activities. These four values: living his faith, serving his family, building what is needed, and making time for creativity and art account for how he spent his 91 years. After high school, Richard attended University of Utah and eventually Brigham Young University where he got a degree in accounting. He served a proselytizing mission in northern California. After that he enlisted in the Army Reserves and was sent back to California (to the Presidio in San Francisco). There he met a bright young woman (also a recent college graduate) and within a short time they were engaged. Richard and Donna married on December 20, 1957 and began their married life together in Chicago, IL. After a few years there they returned to the Bay Area and then moved to southern Oregon. They had four children (3 girls and 1 boy) born in these various places, but in 1963 they settled in Medford, Oregon. Richard worked as an accountant or comptroller for various businesses in Jackson County and provided well for the children as they grew up. Richard’s church service was interspersed with his whole life and he served in many different ways. Besides his mission as a young man in northern California, a few notable positions include his service as the bishop of the Medford 2nd ward (1979-83), his 18 month mission to Halifax, Nova Scotia with his wife (2002-2003), his time in the temple presidency of the Medford Oregon temple (2004-2007), his continued work as a sealer at the temple (until 2021), and his service as a stake patriarch, which began in 2008. Richard’s love for the artistic was also very important in his life. He had wonderful skill in drawing and painting and made many beautiful pieces, some of which he gifted, some of which he sold. He did art for two calendars, and he was especially adept at painting horses. Through the years he was a member of several local art groups, including SOSA (Southern Oregon Society of Artists) and Art du Jour. Not just interested in visual art, Richard also loved to read (especially history) and to listen to classical music. He had an extensive collection of records and CDs. Movies and TV were a pleasant part of his life and he especially liked comedies. His kids loved to see him laugh at his favorites--like Peter Seller’s Pink Panther movies. Richard is survived by his wife of 67 years, Donna of Corvallis, OR; his son Paul (Suzanne) Woods of Corvallis, his daughter, Rachel (Sean) Eckton of Ferndale, WA, his sister Diane Wilkes of Salt Lake City; 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren (with another to be born soon) He was preceded in death by two daughters and a son-in-law, Aileen (Clark) Willes and Karen and William Cooper.

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Richard Brazier Woods

February 10, 1933 - November 22, 2024