WOOD 65th

Clarence “Woodie” and Crystal (Clymer) Wood celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 26, 2020. The family gathered together at Sunriver, Oregon, to honor the happy couple.

Woodie and Crystal met in South Dakota while he was visiting his sisters, who were attending Plainview Academy in Redfield, and she was working as a secretary at the conference office in Watertown. They became acquainted at Crystal’s parents' home, and then Woodie would visit Crystal in Watertown. On a date they would go to a local cafe or double-date with Crystal’s brother, LeMoyne.

One time Woodie’s friend, Perry Peterson, drove him to meet Crystal in her car. Woodie got into Crystal’s car for a brief visit. Before they knew it, Perry had driven off, leaving them to figure out what to do next — so they went into town and went roller-skating.

While Woodie completed a tour of duty in Korea as an army medical staffer, the couple corresponded. After his service ended, Woodie made it a priority to visit Crystal in Portland, Oregon, where she was working as secretary to the Oregon Conference president.

In early June 1955, Crystal visited Woodie in South Dakota and he proposed. Two weeks later they were married by C.J. Ritchie at Lents Church in Portland. They honeymooned in a cabin built on a bridge near Sandy, Oregon.

As newlyweds they moved around while Woodie completed a master’s degree in speech pathology and audiology. They spent several years in the Chicago area, where Woodie headed an Easter Seals clinic.

Then, in 1966, Woodie accepted a teaching position at Walla Walla College (now Walla Walla University), and they moved the family to College Place, Washington. They lived in the Walla Walla Valley until retirement. In addition to working and raising four children, Woodie and Crystal owned and operated two small businesses.

Crystal returned to college in 1973 and completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing through Walla Walla College. She worked as a registered nurse for eight years. In 1984, she took a position at Walla Walla College’s career center and eventually became director. She retired in 1994.

Woodie and Crystal had four children: Camille, Kevin, Darrin and Janelle. Sadly, Darrin passed away in 1973 after an illness related to an inoperable brain tumor. He was a kind and happy boy who everyone loved very much. The Woods' grandchildren include Travis, Ryan, Mindy, Clayton, Natalie and Latham. Their great-grandchildren are Gwenivieve, Autumn, Cassidy, Bradon, KauKau and Nafua.

The Wood family spent many happy hours camping, motorcycling, snowmobiling and water skiing. They made several trips to the Black Hills of South Dakota, where Woodie was born and raised.

There was no shortage of adventure after Woodie retired, and they made multiple overland trips to Central America to help their friends Jim and Vonnie Bechtel. Crystal and Woodie drove and towed large vehicles, packed with supplies, to be used by Adventist mission stations that included schools and orphanages.

They also enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Europe and a Caribbean cruise with family.

Despite busy lives, the pair took pleasure in their hobbies. Woodie loved remodeling homes and rebuilding automobiles. Crystal learned to play piano as a youngster and enjoyed playing all her life. She often played during worship services and also accompanied her father, Earl Clymer, who had a beautiful singing voice.

In retirement Crystal and Woodie spent many years enjoying their motor home full time. This provided them ample opportunity to explore new areas of the country and revisit favorite spots.

Several years ago they moved to a permanent home in Boise, Idaho. They still continue to travel, visiting family and friends, and often go south for the winter.