Dean Woods

Dean Woods 83 of Baker City Oregon passed away on November 7th in Mesa, Arizona.  A graveside service will be held on March 2, 2024 ~ 11 a.m. at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland, Oregon. 

Dean was born to Orville and Elaine Woods on September 27th, 1940, in Richland Oregon. He attended school at Eagle Valley School from first grade through graduation. During his senior year of High School Julia Gover invited him to go to the prom with her.  That was the beginning of a lifetime of love and adventure. They were married in Richland, Oregon on September 1st, 1962.

Dean and Julia started their life together living in Richland. During this time Dean worked as a laborer at Hells Canyon. They had their first child, Lori, in 1965. They moved to Baker City in 1967 where they had their second child, Darin.  Dean continued working construction jobs, many of which took him away from home for the summer months. The family would travel with him spending time in their 20-foot camper trailer.  Memories were made while living at the locations of these jobs. One of the highlights was Dean helping to build the road between Granite and Ukiah. He would take his family back to those campgrounds yearly to camp, fish, and play cards. Dean loved to show his kids, grandkids, and even his great grandkids the best places to catch the fish and where the best places were to hide those fish when catching too many. In 1977 Dean was hired at Ash Grove Cement Plant in Durkee, as a loader operator.  He worked there until he retired in 2001.  This meant that Dean no longer had to work away from home and was able to be home every night.

When Dean was not working, he loved spending time bird hunting the breaks of the Snake River, fishing Eagle Creek, and Elk hunting on the Imnaha. He also loved yearly deep-sea fishing trips to the Oregon coast. Dean and Julia enjoyed time bowling, and playing cards with family and friends.  They started square dancing in the early 70’s and it wasn’t long before Lori and Darin joined them.  As a family we would travel all over the state and even into Canada square dancing.  When the kids were older Dean and Julia started attending Professional Bull Riding Events.  It did not take long that they became huge fans of the sport.  What started as just a few here and there turned into several events a year all around the United States. Attending hundreds of events including all the PBR finals.  Dean’s last final was 2 weeks before he passed away and he was so happy to see all of the staff and bull riders. 

 After retiring they sold their house in Baker City and became full time snowbirds.  They would spend the winter months in AZ square dancing during the week and attending the PBR on the weekends.  During the summer months they would return to Baker City where they would park their RV at the Mt View RV park.  Dean helped with the park maintenance. He loved riding through the park in the golf cart greeting campers, changing water, and anything else that needed to be done.  He was always on call and loved helping the campers in any way that he could, always quick with a smile and a wave as he drove through the park. 

Dean was preceded in death by his parents Orville and Elaine, His brother John, a niece Tammy, and his great grandson Harrison. He lost the love of his life Julia in 2021 and his life was never the same. They are reunited again and per Dean’s request his urn will touch hers forever.

He is survived by his children Lori (Carl), Darin.   Grandchildren Jacob, Jordan, Lindsay (Jeremiah) Shelby (Cody) and Haley (Josh).  Great grandchildren Ellis, Evelynn, Boone, Dean, Emerson, Reckkon, and Leo.  His brother Richard (Maryann) and several nieces and nephews.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Dean the family suggests either Hillary’s Benevolent Fund, or the Rider’s Relief Fund PBR through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, PO Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com