DALTON - Ricky Dean Woods, age 64, left his pain behind on June 10, 2017, a life-long resident of Dalton. He was born November 16, 1952 to Dean and Betty (Troxel) Woods. Growing up “In the Valley,” Rick spent much time outdoors, riding bike, ice skating, and making witty comments to make friends laugh. He spent summers painting houses with his dad and Uncle Darrell Woods.

Rick married his Dalton High School sweetheart, Nancy Hershberger, on October 2, 1970. Forty years later, she died on March 1, 2011. He was also preceded in death by his newborn son, Christopher Robin (1973) and his father (1999).

Rick did foundry work at Orrville Bronze and Aluminum and most recently worked at J. Horst Manufacturing, until his illness in November 2016.

Rick took his children mushroom hunting, camping, canoeing, fishing, sled riding, and rafting down Sugar Creek. He was mechanical and fixed his own cars. He enjoyed hunting for turkey and deer, but spent more time observing creatures than shooting them. Rick found great peace and solace in nature.

Rick is survived by a daughter Victoria Woods-Yee of Bluffton, OH; son Robert Woods of Dalton; grandchildren Maia and Zander Woods-Yee of Bluffton; mother Betty Woods of Rittman; siblings Deb (Ron) Lewis of Orrville; Karen (George) Ross of Smithville; Mike (Barb) Woods and Marnita (Dennis) Stanford of N. Lawrence; brothers-in-law Bill (Jackie) Hershberger of Dalton; Carl Gastin of Canton.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Zak-Thacker & Monbarren Funeral Home, 29 E. Main St., Dalton 44618. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Life Care Hospice, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or The Wilderness Center, 9877 Alabama Ave. SW, Wilmot, OH 44689.  Online obituary and guest registry are available at www.zakmonbarrenfh.com

(Zak-Thacker & Monbarren, 330-828-2536)

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