Richard Leon Wood (Dick)
Richard Leon Wood (Dick), departed this life on Sunday, June 1st, 2025 at the age of 83. Born in Bonne Terre on December 16, 1941, Dick Wood was a self professed “hillbilly” raised in Flat River, Missouri on a steady diet of Twinkies, basketball, outdoor adventures and hearing the Word of God at the local Methodist Church.
Throughout his youth, his face would go on to grace many yearbooks, sporting a 1950’s crew cut, acting in plays, occasionally holding a trombone, often wearing basketball shorts and always grinning at the camera. After one too many years of “being so skinny that my pajamas only had one stripe,” he would eventually grow into his 6 foot 4 inch frame and learn where to find size 13 shoes.
After a few years of bad jokes (and a few good ones) he finally convinced that local girl, Cathy Conway, to go out with him. That date would lead to 63 years of love. Dick and Cathy would eventually go on to college together while living in a tiny camping trailer and soon after, both would become teachers. Dick was hired by Mehlville High School where he taught Algebra and the art of staying awake in math class.
With a never-ending passion for Archery and a naturally entrepreneurial mind, he simultaneously opened Dick Wood Archery Supply a few years later. After a few clever inventions and hundreds of arrows later, he eventually settled into real estate full time.
He would open and operate Dick Wood & Associates for over 50 years. Without a doubt, he was known by all for his love of Archery even without seeing his numerous gold medals and ribbons hidden in boxes and hung on hat racks far beyond the sight of others. A former President of The Conservation Federation of Missouri and Missouri Bowhunters Hall of Fame member, his passion for Bowhunting and Missouri Wildlife Conservation will be felt by future generations as they continue to enjoy the resources he fought so hard to protect. From the foundation of ‘Operation Game Thief’ to his relentless work on the ‘Save The Meramec’ campaign, ‘Share the Harvest’ and many more, he worked tirelessly making his children stop at every sporting goods store to restock pamphlets and bumper stickers. Then, turn the car around to head back to the pawn shop that had an old recurve bow in the window – because those needed saving too. And save them he did!
A believer in salvation and the power of Christ, Dick spent his life sharing the message of the Lord. Later in life, he combined his faith and passion for archery to found ‘Christian Archers of Missouri,’ introducing a new generation to both the sport and the Savior. Throughout his life, Dick Wood was an inspiration to many, a devoted husband to one, a loving father to two and an example to all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John N. Wood and Lorraine Wood; his brothers Nolan Monroe (infant) and John Henry; his niece Nicolle (Shane) Dement; his sister-in-law Willa (Black) Wood; and brother-in-law Les Conway.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Cathy (Conway) Wood; his children Wendi (Dwight) Ervin and Darin (Salena) Wood; and his grandchildren Drew Ervin, Brooke (Dylan) Holdenried, Bret Ervin, Keira Wood, Raquel Wood, and beloved great granddaughter Elsie Wood Holdenried. Also surviving are his sister-in-law Bet Conway, nephew Keith (Tenna) Groom, niece Kathy Wood and cousin Canda (David) Rozier.
Dick will be remembered for his amazing jokes, his long texts and emails, his witty rhymes, creative and entertaining mind, the love he shared and the laughter he effortlessly gave to those around him.
Dick Wood’s Celebration of Life will be on Friday, June 13th from 3-5pm at South County Baptist Church: 12995 Tesson Ferry Rd. St Louis, MO 63128.
Per Dick’s wishes, it will be a casual gathering where camouflage attire is welcome! There will be an informal ‘visitation’ from 3-4pm where family will be in the church gym to talk and visit, and the service will be from 4-5pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to South County Baptist Church or The Conservation Federation of Missouri.
He will be missed. His passion and the impact he had for conservation and Missouri outdoors was contagious. A great conversation was always had when we visited.
He was the best Math Teacher around. He made Math fun back in the 70’s. He sold one of my houses in Jefferson County. He was a fun person to talk too. Had lots of knowledge to share on just about everything. I know he will truly be missed.
He met my son working at the farm shop scouting for hunting land. That lead to 25+ years of his group hunting here.
I went with Dick on a Colorado hunt, he sure could get ant equipment you might need in a Suburban ot on a trailer!
Dick was a great man loved visiting and talking with him. His sense of humor was always much loved. I so grateful I got to know him. What a blessing. Thank you for sharing his story, very impressive life❤️
A true gentleman, mentor , teacher and sportsman. No task or issue was too tough to handle. Conservation in MO has lost a giant in his passing. His legacy will influence so many in the years to come.
What a great man was Dick Wood. He’s my brother in Christ Jesus and in conservation. One of Dick’s great attributes was his humble spirit. He had his hand in so many projects that have truly shaped conservation in Missouri but he never boasted about his role in these matters. He just kept moving forward and continued to work hard for conservation and more importantly the work of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dick has finally made it home and his life is just beginning. I look forward to seeing him on the other side. Until then may God comfort us as we mourn and miss our dear friend Dick Wood.
So sorry to hear of Dick’s death and to read about his rich life and the contribution he made to others.
Celebrating with others the life he lead and his involvement in his community. Condolences to his family and friends.
Dick Wood has been weaved into our family in so many ways for more than 55 years! It began as teaching my Mom at MHS and most recently the great grandfather to my first granddaughter, Elsie Wood Holdenried. So crazy how life works out just the way it’s supposed to. I’ll always remember him with his 70’s curly hair! He was a kind and gentle man.
Always smiling, always a joke. Such a kind spirit and great neighbor. Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts n prayers are with your family.
Keith n Linda Smith
I’m so sad to hear that he passed on to heaven while my husband Nathan, and I were hunting in New Zealand: A trip that came into planning after attending a Conservation Federation dinner with Dick and Cathy, and bidding on a charity hunting trip. It was the trip of a lifetime, and I can only imagine Dick’s spirit was with us, keeping us safe, while driving through mountain passes, and hunting Red Stag and Tahr on the hills. I saw a feather on the hillside while following our hunting guide to a very steep spot to hunt Tahr. I didn’t know what it meant, as we didn’t learn of Dick’s passing until after we’d left the hunting lodge. I like to think Dick’s spirit was with me as I navigated with my guide into position for a 220 yard perfect first vital hit on a Tahr Bull I named Holyfield on account of it missing half an ear. I felt blessed during our hunt in that I did not fall off the mountain while making my way back down, with a few comic moments Dick would appreciate that I won’t share here. Dick helped me name my first Falconry Apprentice Redtail Hawk: Donut– because if I was on his side of the property line looking for my hawk who was going after squirrels, yelling “Donut” really loudly in the woods, he’d know it was me. Dick was one of the first people to welcome us to the area after spotting my husband’s archery target in the yard. Dick will be missed!
I am so sorry to hear about Dick’s death. I always remember him being upbeat smiling and always talking. The last time I saw him was at the Flat River High School Class Reunion in July 2019. I remember how amazed I was when I saw the huge mop of beautiful white hair because I don’t remember seeing anything but his flat top hair-cut. You are missed but we will see you again. God Bless
I first met Dick at his archery shop in the late 1960’s and became friends with him and his brother John. They drug me along to many archery tournaments since I was too young to drive. We spent many days hunting the swamps at Mingo and Ted Shanks. I went on my first Colorado elk/deer hunt with him, Larry Eshelman and Pat Robinson. That trip cost $125 including elk, deer and fishing license, food AND gas. WOW! Len mentioned earlier Dick could pack more junk into an old suburban than anyone I know but he always left room for his dozen day old donuts he kept in the vehicle. Thinking of pioneers in the archery here is something probably few knew about Dick. Back in the late 60’s he came out with the first anodized aluminum arrow he called the “BST”. It was so popular locally that it got the attention of Jim Easton of Easton Arrow Company. They called Dick and wanted to purchase the rights to this new type of anodized shaft. After long talks with Cathy and some friends he turned down the offer because they wanted Easton name on the shaft and he wanted his “BST”logo. On a recent breakfast outing with him and Ray Vonderhaar he admitted that was his biggest financial loss he ever had. We laughed about that a lot over the years. Millions of dozens of shafts are being manufactured by Easton every year. Tell John, Larry and Don I look forward to another hunt together down the line. Save me a good spot like you always did.
Dick was a cousin by marriage. I remember as a young teenager double dating he fixed me up with one of his friends. Dick was always full of fun, laughing jokes he was a great guy. He’s gonna be really missed. God bless the family, but they should be proud that they had such a wonderful husband and father
Rest in peace, you will always be remembered and never forgotten 😘
Russ ❤️ and I were sorry to hear of Dick‘s passing. We met Dick at South County Baptist Church and Russ ❤️ , Drew 🇺🇸 and Steven 🏹 all participated in CAMO (Christian archers of Missouri) with Dick at the church. Steven 🏹 got his passion in archery from Dick. Russ ❤️ will miss his long phone conversations and friendship with Dick! Our prayers go out to all of the family!