Bren “Woody” Wood
October 16, 1940 – December 15, 2022
Surrounded by some of the iconic miniature chuckwagons he had created over the years.
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association was saddened by the passing of Active Chuckwagon Supporter Bren “Woody” Wood” after a lengthy illness on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at the age of 82.
As a young boy growing up in Calgary, Woody fell in love with horses while living on his uncle’s dairy farm. After finishing high school, Woody had aspirations to become a jockey and got a job at the Alberta Thoroughbred Racing Association, and eventually began working for thoroughbred trainer Bobby Marsh. After 1 year he went to work for trainer J.D. Leavitt for an additional 5 years. His break as a jockey never came, so he sold his equipment, left the racetrack to pursue other career opportunities.
Woody would take his holidays during Stampede Week so he could see the rodeo horses and wagon horses every night, watching the action from beside the rail. This resulted in a chance meeting with the people behind the Shoppers Drug Mart wagon who sponsored driver Grant Preece, and ultimately led to Woody helping Grant Preece with his chuckwagon horses at the Calgary Stampede for 6 years. Woody ultimately got involved with the “Firewagon” and the “Ten Day Tarmac Babies” chuckwagon groups, began following the WPCA Pro Tour, and met many of the chuckwagon families, and was a staple around the chuckwagon barns for 25 years.
Around the same time Woody used his woodworking hobby into making small replica chuckwagons of some of the most iconic wagon drivers and their sponsors. The wagons were so true to life and caught the eye of many of the drivers and their sponsors, that Woody was commissioned to make several wagons for both wagon drivers and sponsors to use as gifts, special thanks, or a nice keepsake of their chuckwagons. Many of Woody’s replica chuckwagons are displayed in many corporate offices throughout Western Canada and even in the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, and the Cheyenne Frontier Day’s Old West Museum.
Woody was pre deceased by his mother Betty, father Bud, and infant daughter Kelly. He is survived by his sister Brenda Weston, sons Steven and Darcy and granddaughter Sienna.
A celebration of Woody’s life will be held on Saturday, February 18th, 2023 at 10:00am at Mountain View Funeral Home in Calgary: 1605 100 St SE., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, Woody has asked to have donations sent to the Calgary Children’s Hospital.
Woody will be missed by all in the WPCA and we extend our sincere condolences to the Wood family.
Billy Melville
