Brandon F. Woods

Brandon F. Woods

Brandon F. Woods, voicer of Goulding & Wood Pipe Organs who defined the musical character of the company's instruments for over thirty years, died May 25, 2016 at age 65 in Indianapolis.   

Brandon was born in Indianapolis and spent much of his childhood and adolescence there along with three brothers and two sisters. By 1969 he worked for Edward H. Holloway Corporation tuning and maintaining area pipe organs. His musical abilities and keen sense of hearing attracted early attention, leading to his training as a voicer, the member of an organ building team who makes minute adjustments to the individual pipes which define the organ's musical personality. His career was interrupted when he was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1971.

Following his return to Indianapolis, Brandon completed countless instruments through the 1970s and early 1980s for the Holloway Corporation, eventually becoming a partner in the firm. After Goulding & Wood Organbuilders was established, Brandon joined fellow former Holloway employees John Gouding and Thomas Wood.

Notable projects in his career include the cathedrals in New Orleans, LA, Saint Meinrad Benedictine Archabbey in southern Indiana, Ball State University in Muncie, IN, Loyola University in Chicago, IL, and other large organs across the country.

Brandon's zeal for life and gregarious nature kept him humble about his gifts, despite a humorous veneer of swagger. His laughter intoxicated everyone around him. He could be short-tempered not being one to suffer fools, yet he was generous to a fault with friends and any who put forth their best effort.

Brandon complemented his artistic pursuits with pipe organs with a number of outside interests. He was a lifelong musician and an accomplished guitarist in the jazz-rock genre. Brandon was a fervent fan of motor racing, having attended the Indy 500 religiously from an early age. He was also an avid tennis player for many years, reaching a high level of accomplishment in amateur competitions and casual matches.

Brandon is survived by his mother, Thelma, wife, Linda Passwater Woods, step children Chris Beatty, Nikki Smythe, Tiffany Cornelius, Lia Cornelius-Glenn, and Danica Park, Brothers Monte, Loren, & Kyle Woods., sisters Fontane & Marcy Woods. and 11 grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 5, 2016 at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 100 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260, with a gathering from 4:00 p.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages all memorial tributes be made to Little Red Door Cancer Agency 1801 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46202. Arrangements entrusted to Stevens Mortuary, 5520 W. 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46224. To read the entire obituary and leave the family online condolences please visit www.stevensmortuary.net We encourage family and friends to visit the site and share a special story or memory about Brandon.