Ronald “Ron” Wood Sr., Marine veteran and locomotive electrician, dies at 84.
Ronald R. “Ron” Wood Sr., a Marine veteran who spent 30 years as a locomotive electrician and could fix just about anything, died of natural causes Oct. 12, 2026, in Joliet. He was 84.
He was born Sept. 16, 1942, in Chicago. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, he worked 30 years as an electrician on locomotives at Electro-Motive Corporation in Hodgkins.
He was known as dependable and skilled, a natural problem solver whose hands were rarely still. He was always fixing and making things for his family, especially his grandchildren. He spent many hours woodworking and tinkering in the garage.
He loved to fish and took many fishing trips with family and friends, especially to Chetek, Wisconsin. He played baseball and softball in his early years and never missed a chance to watch football, baseball, basketball or any other game.
He went to his grandchildren’s events, especially wrestling meets and basketball and softball games. He was playful, joking and making wisecracks until the end.
He is survived by his wife, Patsy Wood (née Earls); his children, Christina (Richard) Fuller, William (Linda) O’Leary and Ronald (Karyn) Wood Jr.; his grandchildren, Logan, Brooke, Justin and Christina, Candace and Kyle, Sarah and Joey, Shelby, Ashley and Grace; his great-grandchildren, Adalynn, Francesca, Quinn, Enzo and Niko; and many extended family members and friends.
Visitation: Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, 4 to 8 p.m. at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium, 7861 S. 88th Ave., Justice, Illinois.
Funeral: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. A service and time of remembrance will be held at the funeral home. Cremation rites will be accorded.