Lester (Les) James Wood, Jr. of Big Lake, MN succumbed to his battle with cancer on March 14, 2024 in St. Augusta, MN. He was born on September 12, 1945 in Minneapolis, MN and was raised in the Elliot Park neighborhood. Les was a kind and compassionate man who lived life with abandon. He commanded an audience - every experience was wove into stories of his triumphs and conquests: running numbers in his neighborhood, knife fights in alleyways, how he survived Vietnam, celebrities he served drinks to, or bears he wrestled in his time with the AWA. Stalwart to his core he often reminded those he loved of his brushes with death and how he survived, because there was always more to live for. 

Les served in the US Navy from 1969-1971. He went on to work at the Minneapolis Club - working his way from Busboy to Head Bartender over his 42 year career. It was there that he met his beloved wife, Barb, in 1972. Never one for convention, Barb proposed to him and they were married in 1979 in Sisston, SD. They spent their lives together throughout the Twin Cities, until 2010, when they moved to Big Lake, MN. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frieda Byrd (Jackobson) and Lester Wood, Sr.; brother, John Wood; daughter, Jody (Sandt) Trovall; and grandson, Isaiah Trovall. He is survived by wife, Barbara; sister, Celia (Sis) Wood; son-in-law, Deron Trovall; granddaughter, Brieanna Trovall (Tauraen), five great-grand children and numerous nieces and nephews and friends. Memorial service will be held at Cremation Society of Minnesota at 7835 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park on Wednesday, March 27 at 11 AM-1 PM.