Charles Frederick "Fred" Woods

Charles Frederick Woods of Wichita, Kansas, died Sunday, August 10th, 2025, at age 92.

“Fred” was born on February 12, 1933, in Arkansas City, Kansas to Elton LeRoy Woods and Anna “Irene” Mitchell. He was an older brother to Truman Woods, Karen Elwood, and Nelda Miller; the family lived in the Rainbow Bend Slate Valley area south of Oxford, Kansas.

Fred met his first wife, Norma “June” Combs, in Winfield, Kansas. The high-school sweethearts were married in 1952, and had a daughter, Jan. After suffering from kidney issues, June died in 1961 at the age of 27. Fred’s second wife, Judy, met him in Geuda Springs, Kansas. They were married in 1962 and continued to celebrate life together for 62 years until Fred’s passing. They raised daughters Jan and Rachel.

In his youth, Fred loved baseball and hunting and trapping along Slate Creek. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean war, earned a Bachelor’s degree in math from Southwestern College, and a Master’s degree in Christian counseling from Friends University. Fred had many jobs, including wheat farmer, oil truck driver, orderly at a Winfield hospital, missile site guard, math teacher, and lay pastor. His longest and last job was as an air traffic controller. Fred enjoyed traveling and especially loved going on mission trips and cruises with Judy. He was generous with his time and earned the Good Apple Award for the hours he spent volunteering in Wichita’s public schools.

Fred loved the Lord and loved to read his Bible. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his daughters, Jan (Rex) Vance and Rachel (Ryan) Amick; granddaughters, Meghan and Marissa Vance; brother Truman (Carolyn) Woods; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Downing & Lahey Mortuary (10515 West Maple) in Wichita on Thursday, August 14^th, 2025, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. The funeral service will be at the mortuary on Friday, August 15^th, 2025, at 10:30am, and Fred will be buried in Oxford at 2:00pm.

The family asks that any memorial donations be made to Homestead Health Center, where Fred spent his final months (2133 South Elizabeth Street, Wichita, Kansas 67213).