Lawrence Frank Wooding, also known as “Woody” or “Gus,” 96, of Sarasota, Florida, formerly of Oak Lawn, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2014 in the early morning at his home with his family at his bedside.
Lawrence was born to the late Stephen Frank and Katherine (Luszczek) Wooding, March 2, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois.
He graduated from Farragut High School in Chicago, Illinois and received a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from then Armour Institute of Technology, now Illinois Institute of Technology, in June 1939.
Lawrence served in the United States Army 3198th Signal Service Battalion, Asiatic-Pacific Theater, from April 1943 to April 1946.
Lawrence was most recently employed as an electrical engineer by Pathfinder Lamp Company, retiring in 1977.
Lawrence was frequently an entrepreneur. He operated Masco Powdered Hand Soap business after discharge from the Army. He also operated Wheel Park, a portable roller skating rink and raised chinchillas for profit.
Lawrence’s hobbies included a lifelong interest in photography; he was always taking photographs and sharing pictures. He also very much liked fishing and took great pride in teaching all his children and many grandchildren how to fish. Boating and travel were some of the many activities he enjoyed.
Lawrence purchased a summer home on East Pope Lake on the Old Gunflint Trail. Friends, neighbors and visitors to the Gunflint Trail know the cabin, as it once was the old post office along County Road 92. “Gus” owned it since buying from George Stapleton, then postmaster, in1953. This put Gus in that select group of early pioneers who enjoyed the wilderness life along the Gunflint Trail, as it changed into what we see now. He was one of the earlier persons on the Old Gunflint Trail.
Lawrence is survived by six children Lawrence P. Wooding, Peoria, Illinois, Margaret (Wayne) Katez, Jacksonville, Florida, Valerie (Steve) Benford, Land O Lakes, Florida, Donna (Eric) Banks, Marstons Mills, Massachusetts, Carolyn Wooding, Palmetto, Florida, Sharon (Brian) Swindale, Honolulu, Hawaii; 11 grandchildren Douglas Katez, Stacey Boch, Paul Benford, Amy Benford, Graham Banks, Dylan Banks, Tanner Banks, David Gonzalez, Casey Gonzalez, Malissa (Chris) Cooke, Ashley Gonzalez; five great-grandchildren Mackenzie Boch, Madison Boch, Chloe Cooke, Max Cooke, Clara Cooke.
Lawrence was predeceased by Dolores Helen Wooding, his wife, in 2003; Agnes Wooding Kuzelka, his sister, in 2008; Katherine Luszczek Wooding, his mother in 1989; Stephen Frank Wooding, his father in 1979.
Lawrence has requested no visitation and private interment at Woodland Memorial Park, Forest Park, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations to your preferred charity are appreciated.
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