Kenneth Wood

(From Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home)

Kenneth Ross Wood, 92, formerly of Fort Scott, KS, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 17, 2024, at Medicalodge in Leavenworth, KS. He joins his beloved wife, Jennie, who preceded him in death in 2021. They were married over 62 years.

Kenneth was born February 7, 1932, on an 80-acre farm near Ft. Scott, KS, the third child of Clarence and Lena (Query) Wood. Kenneth’s family attended the Methodist Church in Hammond, and Kenneth graduated as the Fulton High School salutatorian in 1949. His primary interest in high school was sports – softball, basketball, and track (javelin), but he also sang in the chorus, played the clarinet in band, had leading roles in class plays, and was vice president of the student council. 

Kenneth attended Ft. Scott Junior College, Drury College, and Pittsburg State, graduating from Pittsburg State in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in math education. He taught school for two years in Coffeyville, KS, and two years in Leon, KS, while completing his master’s degree in math from Pittsburgh State (1957). That same year, Ken moved to Santa Monica, CA, to become a computer programmer trainee for Systems Development Corporation. 

He attended First Church of the Nazarene in Los Angeles, CA, and met Jennie Reynolds in Sunday School class. Ken and Jennie married in 1958. Ken accepted the Lord’s call to ministry in 1959 and graduated from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1964. Together, Ken and Jennie faithfully served the Lord at Nazarene churches in Deepwater, MO, Carl Junction, MO, Brainerd, MN, and Rochester, MN. Ken was loved by his congregations, serving faithfully with wisdom, humility, and integrity.

In 1996, Ken and Jennie retired to the Wood family farm in Ft. Scott, KS, and Ken began pulpit supply followed by a pastorate at Humboldt Church of the Nazarene. From 2001 to 2005, he pastored at Fulton United Methodist Church. Ken and Jennie were members of Ft. Scott Church of the Nazarene, ministering in a variety of ways in their church and community. Ken’s hobbies included tending a large garden and fishing. He deeply loved his family. Many memories were made with grandchildren sharing practical skills, life wisdom, a listening ear, table games, laughter, and an after-dinner devotional. His family is forever marked by his godly character, his faithful prayers, and his loving investment in their lives.

Kenneth is survived by three children – Stan Wood (Denise) of Easton, Kansas, Melody Richardson (Lonnie) of Louisburg, Kansas, and Joy Parke (Phil) of Raymore, Missouri; a son-in-law, Charles Hornby, of Nevada, MO; eleven grandchildren – Briana Wood, Nathan (Natalie) Parke, Reagan Wood, Jaron (Brooke) Parke, Graham Wood, Carter (Meredith) Richardson, Ross Parke, Alexandra (Brice) Kudej, Annelise Parke, Davis Richardson, and Sawyer Richardson; four great-grandchildren – Noah, Hope, and Zoe Parke (Nathan and Natalie), Adalyn Parke (Jaron and Brooke, with a great-grandson due in May); a brother, C. Byrne Wood; a sister and brother-in-law, Loreta and Larry Jent; and a sister-in-law, Georgia Wood.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, Jennie; parents, Clarence and Lena Wood; daughter, Suella Hornby; brother and sister-in-law, Leland and Wanda Wood; brother, Walter Wood; and sister-in-law, Rosalie Wood.

A funeral service will be held Friday, March 1st, 2024, 2:00 pm, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, 1728 Horton St, Fort Scott, KS 66701, with visitation and viewing from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, and burial following at Maple Grove Cemetery. Viewing is also available on Thursday, Feb. 29, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS, 66701, during normal business hours.

The service will be live-streamed via the church’s Facebook page. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.