Owen Howard Wood

Owen Howard Wood, 76, most recently of Livingston, MT, formerly of Florence, MT, passed Monday, October 25, 2021.Owen was born on November 28, 1944, in Livingston, the son of Howard and Viola (Hayne) Wood, and the oldest of three boys. He was raised in Livingston, as Owen's folks ran the local Coast to Coast store. He was the wrestling manager during high school and played baseball and later softball. Owen was a Class of 1963 graduate of Park County High School. Soon after his graduation, on June 1st, 1963, he joined the Army National Guard. He would serve stateside for six years. He was Honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant E-5. Following his military service, Owen married Patricia Ann Jeffries on January 1, 1966, in Coeur d'Alene, ID. They made their home together in Livingston and Owen began his career with the Livingston Fire Department. He first was a volunteer, was later hired to full-time from 1967- 1974, and later returned to his volunteer status, retiring from the fire department in 1987. He and Patty ran Livingston Lanes from 1975-1979. In 1980, Owen began work for the Burlington Northern Railroad, then transferred to Montana Rail Link in 1987, and in 1989, he and Patty relocated to Florence when his position with the railroad moved to Missoula. Owen retired from the railroad as an Engineer in 2005. He and Patty had resided in Florence for 31 years prior to moving back to Livingston in 2020 to be near family. Owen was an avid bowler over the years. He was also an amateur radio operator, getting his license in 1962 with the call sign of WA7IZR. Owen also enjoyed watching baseball and restoring Ford Model Ts. He was the patriarch of the family. He worked hard to provide and to give a good home for his children. Rest easy dad.Owen is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia; his sons, Richard (Wendy), of Livingston, and Robert Wood, of Rock Port, TX; also three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren; and a brother, Irvin (Carol), of Richmond, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Rachel, and his brother, Alvy. There will be a memorial gathering beginning at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, November 13, 2021, hosted at the American Legion Park Post #23, 112 N B Street, Livingston. Private family burial with Veteran's Honors at Mountain View Cemetery will be held at a later date.Owen's family extends a special thank you to Bozeman Dialysis Center for the care provided to dad, and to Livingston HealthCare Hospice, for their care of dad the last days of his life. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Owen's honor may be made to an organization or charity of the giver's choosing.