Donald L. Woods was born November 15, 1954, in Fort Scott, Kansas, and passed away March 2, 2024, at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Donald was a life-long Fort Scott resident who attended Fort Scott schools including Fort Scott Community College. He graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1972. Basketball was his sport of choice not only while attending high school but also as an adult in the local Industrial League.
Donald was a modest man, but he could not hide his outstanding work ethic. He mowed grass, shoveled snow, and cleaned office buildings all while working a full-time job, first at Whitesides West IGA and later as a custodian for USD 234 at Fort Scott High School.
If Donald had a passion other than riding his Honda Goldwing Motorcycle, it was his love for the moving business. As Donald told the story, he began working for his grandfather Clarence Wright’s moving business as soon as he was big enough to pick up a piece of furniture. After working for his grandfather, Donald then began working part-time for his brother Marvin Woods at Fort Scott Transfer. In 1999 Donald finally started his own household goods moving business: Don Woods Moving, LLC. Neither the cold, heat, rain, snow nor a pandemic kept Donald away from a moving job. Donald moved pianos, gun safes, jewelers’ safes, churches, hospitals, parts of a petting zoo and even St. Benedict. Moves took Donald (and Cindy) to Massachusetts, Florida, Texas and Reno, Nevada. Donald told Cindy that these were “mini-vacations” and that the real one would come soon. After retiring from USD 234 and selling his moving business in 2022, Donald dreamed of traveling on that orange bike.
Donald L. Woods is survived by his wife of 49 years, Frances L. “Cindy” Woods, a son, Arthur Hodge II of Las Vegas, Nevada, a brother Melvin Woods and wife Raisa of Olathe, Kansas, and a sister Jackie M. Vann of Joplin, Missouri. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Donald was preceded in death by his mother Rachel Maxine Woods, and by four sisters: JoAnn Fewell, Mickie E. Brown, Joyce E. Woods, and Marita Eileen Bullock. Also preceding Donald in death were two brothers: Gerald L. Woods and Marvin R. Woods. Donald is also survived by his friend and cousin Idella Brown and her husband D.K. Brown.
Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Scott, under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
A private family burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery.
Instead of flowers memorial contributions may be made to either the Kansas University Cancer Center, or Mount Olive Church of God in Christ Scholarship Fund, and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
I loved this man…but who could not?
I considered Don Woods as a friend. although we were not close friends, Like many of you, whenever I would drive by and saw Don mowing a yard, shoveling snow or moving someone’s furniture and I “honked” at him he smiled and waved back. He grew up in a time when America was starting to transition to a country where the color of a person’s skin didn’t matter as much as the way he/she lived their lives. He personified a person who worked hard, did well and did good. He was what is so typical of most of Fort Scott and Bourbon County citizens. I hope and pray our great country will be more accepting and understanding that a person’s color, creed or origin does not matter as much as the way they live their lives. We lost a good one. RIP Don. Our community’s condolences to Cindy and family.
We completely agree, David! Don Woods was a fine & inspiring man. His warmth & ready smile were a joy because both were genuine parts of his bright & kind spirit. We will always remember him & send our condolences to his wife Cindy & family.
Thank you so much. I feel truly honored by your comments. The only thing I could add is that Donald was a wonderful husband as well.
Don Woods was a tremendous man of character and love in his heart. Don moved us here from near Wichita early in 2021. Our move was challenging and the dear man accomplished it! The sun shined always in Don Woods. His smile will forever in in my heart.
Don woods was my friend. AS ALREADY TOLD, HE WAS A HARD WORKER. i KNOW THAT FOR SURE BECAUSE HE CLEANED OUR DRUG STORE AND DID A FANTASTIC JOB. HE ALSO MOVED OUR FAMILY FOUR TIMES AND WAS ORGANIZED IN EVERY MOVE. HIS GRANDPA, CLARENCE WRIGHT MOVED MARY AND ME TO FORT SCOTT IN 1968 SO IT BECAME A FAMILY THING. I THOUGHT A LOT OF HIS GRANDFATHER AND , ALSO, HIS BROTHER MARVIN IN THE MOVING BUSINESS. DON WAS ALSO MY FRIEND ON THE BASKETBALL FLOOR AS HE MANAGED OUR HURST-ASHER BALL TEAMS IN THE INDUSTRIAL LEAGUE AND EVEN PUT TOGETHER AN AAU TEAM AS WE ENTERED A TOURNAMENT IN TOPEKA,KANSAS. YES SIR, I LOVED THAT MAN. KEN ASHER.