June 23, 1924 — December 15, 2023

Tari finished her 99.4-year journey peacefully and with grace and gratitude for the assistance of fellow citizens of Ponca City. She was strongwilled and confident and appreciated her neighbors and friends in Ponca City for the last 8 years after almost 17 years in Norman. She captured the hearts of many people throughout the state and loved her affiliation with the University of Oklahoma, esp. Dr. Cal Hobson.

Tari Wood was born Martha Ann Youngs in Appleton WI to Viva German and Phineas Rumsey Youngs II and later adopted by her stepfather and became Tari Schneider. She was educated in several preparatory schools and universities including the Brenau Academy in Gainesville GA, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Miami of Ohio at Oxford and more recently at the University of Oklahoma. She thoroughly enjoyed her OLLI (Oklahoma Lifelong Learning Institute) classes. Tari assisted fund-raising efforts for the Weitzenhoffer Family Fine Arts College at OU and has a scholarship in her name to assist graduate students in music and fine arts.

Tari had several careers following her wartime job in the early 40s and lived in Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey, Peru, and Nicaragua, before settling in California most of her adult life and finally Norman and Ponca City the last 24.5 years. She married three times in 1946, 1955 and 1965 to men who shared the name Charles. She had one son, Brian Kennedy (1950). Her final marriage was enjoyed for 34 years which is testimony to her ability to learn throughout life. Charles Monroe Wood aka Uncle Chuck was a man with a degree in Economics who dedicated himself to helping others. He was a man with great wisdom and a therapeutic outlook and philosophy of life. He and Tari were successfully flipping houses in San Diego County 19771987 before HGTV made it the popular occupation it is today. Tari’s eye for colors and tasteful interior, accessories and exterior arrangements was invaluable to their home renovation successes. Other careers Tari had included sales rep for Doncaster classic clothing, retail bookstore owner/manager and adviser to two jewelry store owners. She also worked for a bank in northern California doing international banking research and was president of a philanthropic organization in North San Diego County which raised funds for supporting people with developmental disabilities. She had many creative ideas for involving celebrities in southern California for supporting the Special Olympics and other community organizations.

Tari was an accomplished Bridge player and maintained a relationship with her favorite Ponca City players for the past 7 years: Ira and Pat Howard, Janis Stoner, Don Jorgenson, Nadine Frisby, Nancy Silvy, Rosemary Overton, Marcia Davis, Diane Beekman, Laverna Wedman, Anna Hall, and others who made sure Tari was shopping or playing Bridge each week.

She appreciated these individuals who added so much quality to her final years and frequently expressed this admiration. Tari depended on the wonderful staff at Hobby Lobby, Osage and Native Lights Casinos who made her feel at home each visit. These adventures were her “sanity” visits when she could no longer take long trips out of town, and she reciprocated by sharing her crafts, barn quilting and necklaces with personnel.

Tari took an interest in their lives and tried to provide good counsel whenever she saw the need. Tari was assisted by her dedicated neighbors including MaryJo Lee, Carl Phillips, Ted and Norma Haun, Byron, and Sandy Benham.

Tari was preceded in death by: Her husband Charles Monroe Wood 24 years ago, three sisters: Vashti Youngs of Dixon IL, Kay Schneider Rattenbury Scottsdale AZ, and Judith Alberta Youngs of Chicago IL, her brother, Phineas Rumsey Youngs III, son Brian Richard Kennedy, her niece Leslie Barrett, and best friends Charlotte Trout and Marta and Don Carey.

Tari is survived by her sister Heidi Armer of Tucson AZ, niece Gladi Youngs Hatch (Virginia Beach), great nieces, Lisa Barranger of Virginia Beach and Traci Hatch Bossman (of Spring Hill, TN), great nephews Neil Bowden (Blanco, CO) and Alex Barranger (Virginia Beach); Goddaughter Susi Trout (Chicago IL), 5 nephews, Phineas Rumsey Youngs IV, James Paul Youngs (Euless TX), Chris Youngs (Fort Worth TX), Grant Barrett (Kimberly) OR, and Craig Barrett (Danna) AZ, and eight other great nieces and nephews.

A short service at Grace Episcopal Church will be held Monday @11am January 22, 2024 to commemorate Tari’s life. In lieu of flowers, Tari wished for donations to Humanity Hospice, Edmond, OK or Grace Episcopal Church.

Paid Obituary