Dana Edwward Woods 1955-2003 Obituary
Dana Edward Woods, 48, a former resident of Elkins and a resident of Winchester, Va., passed away at 1:10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, 2003, in the Cumberland Memorial Hospital. Death was attributed to heart failure due to complications from an automobile accident.
Born June 17, 1955, at Elkins, he was the son of the late Anna Mae “Dutchie” Rexrode Woods and Edward Lacy Woods.
Dana is survived by one daughter, Rachel Kaia Woods of Brockney, Pa.; and two sisters, Mrs. Kenneth (Joni) Hosford of Herndon, Va., and Mrs. Marty (Lori) Conrad of Mill Creek.
Also surviving are one nephew, Kevin Edward Hosford of Herndon, Va; and five nieces, Elizabeth Anne and Catherine Frances Hosford, both of Herndon, Va., and Paige Nicole, Lacey Marie and Rylee Jordan Conrad, all of Mill Creek.
Dana was a 1973 graduate of Elkins High School and a 1977 graduate of Glenville State College where he earned his bachelor of arts degree in education. In 1989, he received his master of arts degree in education from West Virginia University.
From 1978 through 1987, he was employed by Randolph County Schools at Midland Elementary School, Third Ward Elementary School and Elkins High School.
In 1988, he moved to Huntington, where he was employed by Cabell County Schools at Huntington East High School as an autism instructor.
Dana returned to Elkins in 1988 to become an instructor and later an educational coordinator for the Darby School.
In 1992, he worked for Upshur County Schools at Central Elementary School in the behavioral disorders class.
In 1997, he was recognized as Teacher of the Year by the Upshur County Association for Retarded Citizens for his creative teaching policies. In 2000, he become involved with Home Base Inc., an Upshur County-based group home.
In 2001, Dana transferred to Marion County where he worked with autistic children. At the time of his death he was employed by Herndon Elementary School as a special education instructor.
He taught numerous college courses and workshops for various colleges throughout West Virginia.
He was involved with the West Virginia Special Olympics and the Council for Exceptional Children, and was a former member of the board of directors for the Potomac Diagnostic Center in Romney and the Huntington Area Society for Autistic Children in Huntington.
He was recognized as one of the most outstanding teachers in his field.
A tribute to Dana’s life will be conducted along with viewing hours on Wednesday after 6 p.m. at the F.E. Runner Funeral Home Chapel. At the request of the deceased, the remains will be cremated after the tribute. In lieu of flowers, the family suggested that memorial donations be made in Dana’s name to the American Heart Association or to the American Cancer Society. The F.E. Runner Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Dana Edward Woods.
Dana Edwward Woods 1955-2003 Obituary
