Kenneth "Ken" James Wood

Kenneth James Wood of Deer Lodge was born on March 18, 1941, in Conrad, Montana. He was the first child of Kenneth A. Wood and Willa (Jackie) Salois. Ken passed away at 82 years young on April, 2023.

Ken moved with his parents to Garrison, Montana from Dupuyer, Montana at 1 month old in a homemade camper with sawdust 6 inches thick in the walls for insulation and pulled by a Model T. He remained in Powell County for most of his life.

Ken worked at Welch’s Truck stop in Garrison at 12 years of age working 36 hours a week while going to school. This enabled him to buy his first Chevy at 14 years old which he had to get rid of because his father was a Ford only man.

In Highschool he always had the fastest and nicest cars. When he was an MP for the Marines, he always said they picked the wrong man for the job. He worked at Cominco Phosphate mine for 35 years and everyone there knew his name because he signed the paychecks. After the mine closed, he bought the liquor store in Deer Lodge and moved it to a building he remodeled. He and his wife Linda made a thriving business out of it and operated for 13 years. He kept kicking himself after selling it because the retired life was too boring.

Ken married the love of his life, Linda Brown, on July 14, 1978. This union made a house of 4 boys with Ken’s son, Lance, and Linda’s sons, Randy, Wes, and Curtis.

Ken loved to go camping with his family. This started out with loading gear on motorcycles and heading to the mountains with his children. Later camping with a pop-up tent camper then a full-size camper and finally a cabin at Georgetown Lake. On the 4th of July there was always a big party. Ken has a large family and would always help them if needed. Ken will be missed by not only his family, but the many people he befriended throughout his life.

Ken’s sons describe him as dependable, trustworthy, and true to his word.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Terry, and son, Lance. Surviving is his brother, Robert, of Deer Lodge, his wife of 45 years, Linda, of Deer Lodge, sons: Randy (Sally) Pennington of Gold Creek, Wes (Jody) Pennington of Deer Lodge and Curtis (Tonya) Pennington of Helena, 11 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and nieces Paula Dawn, Julie and Jackie.

A Funeral Mass for Ken and his mother Willa will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 605 Clark St., Deer Lodge, MT. A one hour visitation will take place before the Mass beginning at 10 a.m. Immediately following the Mass, a Graveside Service will be held for both at Hillcrest Cemetery, W. Milwaukee Ave., Deer Lodge, MT. A reception/celebration of life will follow the Graveside Service at the Deer Lodge Elks Lodge, 230 Main St., Deer Lodge, MT.

Please visit the sidebar to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Ken.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Ken and his family.