Kenneth Nmi Woods Jr

Ken Woods, age 81 or Redding, California passed into glory on September 02, 2025 after a brief illness at a local hospital. Ken was born on August 11, 1944 in Greenville, South Carolina, but proudly grew up in San Augustine, Texas. Ken graduated from San Augustine High School in 1962 and attended some college at Panola College at Carthage, Texas.
Ken was a US Army veteran, honorably serving two enlistments as a Military Policeman from 1964 to 1976 achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant and Staff Sergeant. In addition to serving stateside, he served overseas in Japan and Germany.
Ken married Karen Thornton in 1965 and they divorced in 1977 but remained friends until his death. Ken and Karen had two children, Michael Woods Sr. born at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1966, and Joel Woods, born at Fort Riley, Kansas in 1973. Ken never remarried but was most recently in a 15 year relationship with Linda Campbell of Redding, California.
After the Army, Ken moved to Monterey County California where he worked as a Horseshoer (farrier) for nearly 25 years. Ken also worked as a 911 dispatcher for Monterey County, and a security officer for Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California.
Ken moved to Redding California in 2002 and worked several jobs to include, a brief stint as an Animal Control officer for Shasta County, a long haul truck driver for Swift, and a tow truck driver for California Towing. Ken finally retired in earnest around 2010.
Ken is survived by his son, Michael Woods Sr, his daughter in law Deneen Woods, his Granddaughter Danielle Woods Taylor (husband-Hank Taylor), Grandson Michael Woods Jr (wife - Morgan Woods), Grandsons Jacob Woods of Gilroy Ca, and Nathan Woods of Tacoma Washington, Great Grandsons Nicolai Taylor and Owen Taylor and Granddaughter Danilynn Taylor as well as close friend Linda Campbell, and Ex-wife Karen Woods.
Ken was proceeded in death by his parents, Kenneth Woods Sr, Gladys Howard Woods, and his brother Mack Howard Woods all of Texas as well as his son Joel Daniel Woods of Pacific Grove, California.
Ken was a family man who put his family first in all things. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
Services will be at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery at 11800 Gas Point Road, Igo, Ca 96047 on Friday October TBA, 2025 at 2:00PM. A reception will follow off-site and will be TBA.