Russell Lee Wood, Jr., 59, passed away January 16th, 2024. He was born May 4th, 1964 in Washington, DC to Russell Lee Sr. and Shirley Ann (Kidwell) Wood. Russell Jr was the eldest to one younger brother, Richard Wood.  He grew up in Capitol Heights, Maryland alongside many friends and family. His childhood was filled with weekend adventures with his parents and brother, always picking a cousin to come along. He joined his fathers’ construction company at the age of 15 years old and quickly favored the trade. Modeled by the mentorship and expertise of his very own father, Russ forever followed in his father’s footsteps becoming an exceptional lifelong Master Carpenter. Russell and his many brother-like friends spent much of the good ol’ days just being young, wild and free. The late 1980’s, in his hometown, he met (Alice Strine) the woman he would marry, raise two step daughters and have three children of his own with. He moved his family out of Prince Georges County in the early 90’s and settled in Lusby, Md to raise his kids. He was a rough on the surface, decent, hardworking family man who provided and happily lived the middle-class American dream with his family. Fishing, crabbing, and camping was a few of his favorites. He loved riding his motorcycle and all things Harley-Davidson. Russ was usually very calm, quiet and reserved, always having a very kind and generous soul. He treated everyone like family. The local beach and backyard get-togethers with loud rock and roll music, horseshoe pitching, a table filled with hot Maryland crabs and a cooler full, always brought out the fun and party hard side of him. Hardship during the “financial crisis of 2008” devastatingly impacted Russell’s family, among other things. He returned to Capitol Heights, where he lived for the past 15 years never having fully recovered. But always remaining genuinely loyal and overly kind and caring to others. He crossed many paths and touched many lives, certainly leaving his mark along the way.

Most of all though Russell was a proud, loving, devoted father. He will be remembered as an ever so kind and quiet man with a secretly loud personality and a huge heart that will forever be greatly missed. As Big Russ would say “Live free, Die Hard and let the good times roll”.

Russell is survived by his children Russell J. Wood of Washington, DC, Rachael Wood of Capitol Heights, and Rita Wood of Dunkirk, brother Richard “Ricky” Wood, two granddaughters, stepchildren Roseann Fowler-Hayden and Rebecca Caton, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and close friends.