Gary Bruce “Woody” Almond

July 27, 1944 – May 31, 2021

Woody (Gary Bruce) Almond, 76 years young, passed on May 31 at Providence Hospital in Anchorage after a brief battle. He fought to the very end, but he was just worn out.

Woody was born July 27, 1944 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to Theda and Bill Almond.

He met his wife, Claire, on July 3 in River Pines, California. They moved to beautiful Homer in 1982 from Omo Ranch, California, and have lived here ever since.

Together, they would hunt, fish, work and play cards with friends on Saturday nights.

Most recently, Woody ran Chill Tech Refrigeration, but – like many of us – he wore many hats: sheetrocker, electrician, construction worker. He mined for gold in California and worked as a logger. He got his nickname because after logging all day, he would cut a load of wood and bring it home. The loggers said “you’re not a logger, you’re just a woodcutter,” and the nickname stuck.

He loved to hunt and spent many days in remote Alaska doing what he loved best. He also loved to fish on the “geriatric” boardwalk on the Kenai. There will be a few more reds up the Kenai this year.

Woody hadn’t missed a Memorial Day weekend at the river in 40 years, until this year. He loved seeing friends, making memories and watching all you kids grow up,He loved the fact that you returned with your own kids.

A big man with a big heart, Woody never met a stranger.

Woody is survived by his wife of 44 years, Claire Almond; daughter Wendy (Michael) Van Hees; son David (Nani Spidell) Almond; brother-in-law Fergie (Arianne) Ferguson; sister-in-law Jay (Brian) Wenzel; eight grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; his loving dog Amber, and many, many friends that loved him. He was a lucky man.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Theda and Bill Almond, and his eldest daughter, Darla Strack.

A celebration of Woody’s life will be held at 5 p.m. June 19, at the cottonwood campground on the Anchor River. Family will provide hot dogs and hamburgers. Bring a dish and stories to share around a cheery little blaze.

The silver haired gazelle has taken his last trip around the sun. He will be missed.