Donald Clarence "Buck" Wood passed away at Eben Ezer in Brush, Colorado on February 12, 2016, two days shy of his 89th birthday.   He was born February 14, 1927 in the home of a midwife in the house located at 801 Main Street, here in Fort Morgan. His parents were Clarence and Carrie (Townsend) Wood, who ranched north of the Wildcat Creek. On the date of his birth his father gave him the nickname "Buckaroo." He remained Buck throughout his life.

Buck attended the Peace Valley School and then the Fort Morgan High School, until he dropped out to join the United States Army during World War II. He served overseas in the Occupation of Japan before returning to Colorado to ranch with his father. Except for this absence he was a lifelong resident of the Fort Morgan area.

In September 1947 he wrecked his Harley Davidson motorcycle on a patch of loose dirt on the way home crossing the Wildcat Creek, ending up in the Brush Hospital where he met his future wife, Helen Ann Danielsen, who was working as a nursing aide.   They were married on January 2, 1949 and by the conclusion of the ceremony and reception the great Blizzard of '49 had blown into the area. The marriage flourished for 62 years until the death of his wife on February 19, 2011.

Buck ranched for a couple of years following his marriage and then went to work for the Great Western Sugar Company in Fort Morgan where he welded during the summer months and rose to the rank of Sugar End Foreman. He was offered and declined the position of Assistant Superintendent, preferring to stay in his role as a Sugar End Foreman. When the Great Western Sugar Company closed, he remained as a night watchman, then joined the staff when it became Western Sugar. At the time of his retirement on February 14, 1990, he had worked at the Fort Morgan plant for 33 years. Only one other man worked there longer.

Horses were a lifelong passion. Over the years he owned many and raised several colts, breaking and training them.   One of his greatest passions was to be horseback pushing cattle from one place to another. Buck was a long time member of the Fort Morgan Saddle Club where he served as its President.

Following retirement he developed his folk art skills, combining something horsey with welding. He fabricated almost anything that could be thought of out of horseshoes. Award winning Christmas trees, crosses, tables, chairs, sunflowers – the list is endless. The horse head hitching post toppers that line the road through the Fort Morgan Cemetery were welded into the pipes – or at least a lot of them – by Buck.

Buck, along with his wife, were charter members of the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Fort Morgan.

Donald had four children who survive him, David Wood of Fort Morgan, Diane Nicklas and Randy of Fort Morgan, Donald Wood and Kathy of Weldona, and Julie Vannoy and Doug of Fort Morgan.

He had 13 grandchildren; Daniel Wood and Emily Baumgard, Anna-Marie Wood, Kris and Kenny May, Jenn and Ty Tatham, Jeff and Helen Norris, Bobbi and Keven Heitschmidt, Buffi Elliot, Becky Edson, Connor Wood, Kirsten Wood, Ben and Lisa Vannoy, Abbey Vannoy and Jim Davis, Caitlin Vannoy and Steven Silver.   There are 11 great-grandchildren; Morgan, Dante, Claire, Kyler, Tommy, Taylor, Trey, Caden, Tobyn, Jesse and Logan.

Donald is survived by his brother Leslie Gordon and June Wood of Parachute. There are countless nieces, nephews and remaining cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife Helen Ann, his parents, 2 grandchildren Beth Ann Wood and Bradley Lumpkin, his brother H. Dewain Wood and his sister Myrtle Bates.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 1100 W. Platte, in Fort Morgan.

Memorials may be made to Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush, Colorado.