Danny Oral Wood, 72, a Northland resident of Kansas City, MO passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 with his loving family by his side.  Danny was born March 14, 1949 to Rev. Waldo L. and Garnet R. (Goldsby) Wood in Princeton, MO.

Danny is the son of a Baptist minister who served several small church communities in the North Missouri area.  Serving his church as a youth he was an active member of the Royal Ambassadors, a Baptist boys organization serving the church and community as young Christians.  Danny had the opportunity to often express his musical skills.   It is through his church involvement that he developed a deep appreciation for old time gospel songs, which he continued to enjoy throughout his life.  He expressed his musical gifts in voice and guitar at family gatherings, singing in church choirs, and leading music worship time with his friends during Emmaus community retreats.

Danny was an avid sports participant in both basketball and baseball during his high school and college years.  His Trenton Junior College team participated in multiple Missouri Boys State Basketball Competitions.

Baseball consumed Danny’s summers from an early age.  At the age of 17 Danny was recruited by the Cleveland Indians baseball team.  Unfortunately all players had to meet the minimum age of 18 to sign a contract.  Danny played for nine different baseball teams at one time, representing various church and civic groups.  If he wasn’t in the neighbor’s field helping to bale hay, you could find him on a baseball field during the summer months.

Danny and Kathy were the owners /operators of Dan’s Auto Clinic for 38 years, receiving the Northmoor “Business of the Year” award in 1999.  Dan’s Auto Clinic was among the first of 10 initial shops in the Kansas City area to be invited to take part in the upstart of the AAA Approved Auto Repair Program in 1980. He remained in the AAA Program his entire 38 years of service and was respected by all in his trade for his knowledge, training and expertise.   He was an ASE Master L1 Auto Technician for over 35 years.   Danny enjoyed training and mentoring students who were taking part in the Auto Tech Training program of their local High School.   He instilled professionalism and integrity in their everyday training along with his sense of humor and light heartedness to get the job done right the first time.    If you asked Danny, or his employees, how the day was going, often their reply would be “GREAT, we got to make a new tool!” A skill appreciated and enjoyed, it was all about the challenge to them, and they took great pride in their work.  Danny proudly serviced over 1,500 clients both locally and regionally.  Clients became long-time friends and returned for his expertise in diagnosis and repairs from as far away as Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota.

He was a third generation woodworking craftsman and carpenter.  He found joy in following in his father’s footsteps as a skilled carpenter.  Planning for their retirement years, Danny and Kathy designed and built a state-of-the-art woodworking shop and art studio.  Many special handcrafted gifts were made for his beloved family and friends.    He enjoyed many hours sharing his woodworking skills with his son, grandson and granddaughter.

Danny will be remembered as a man of integrity, honesty, humility, and gentleness by all who were blessed to have known him.

By his family, he is remembered as the one who will never leave us. His spirit lives in our hearts and comforts us.

Danny is survived by his loving wife, Kathy Wood; three children: Jeff Speed and wife Ronda; Kristine Anna Sparks and husband, Brian; and Katrina Montavy, eight grandchildren: Jessica; Bradley; Nick; Austin, Alex; Audrey; Rachel and Cameron; a great-granddaughter Everly Kate and an expected great grandchild due in August 2021; sister, Marian Kasparson; and sister-in-law, Betty Wood, nephew Billy John Rhoades and wife Carolene.   He was preceded in death by both parents, Waldo and Garnet Wood, Nota and Everett Rhoades; Barbara and Gene Casner; Donna and Bill Privitt; John Wood and Richard Kasparson.

A Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 26, 2021 at Meyers Northland Chapel in Parkville, MO.  A Celebration of Danny’s life will commence at 2:00 p.m. at the chapel with Rev. Russell Standlee officiating.  All attendees will be required to wear a mask and social distancing will be enforced while inside the chapel.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Grace Cornerstone Fellowship, 906 Sunnyside Lane, Atlanta, Iowa 50022; St Jude Children’s Research Hospital  at www.stjude.org or Samaritan’s Purse/ Bill Graham information at www.samaritanspurse.org   Memories of Danny and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com

LIVE STREAM of the Celebration of life will be available from the Meyers Northland Chapel website at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 26, 2021.