Photos: A tribute to Forrest Wood

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Forrest L. Wood, the iconic founder of Ranger Boats, passed away January 25, 2020. Wood is most known for leading a boat company that set innumerable milestones in the marine industry. He was also an avid angler who competed on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail. <BR><BR> <i>Captions by Craig Lamb</i>
Forrest L. Wood, the iconic founder of Ranger Boats, passed away January 25, 2020. Wood is most known for leading a boat company that set innumerable milestones in the marine industry. He was also an avid angler who competed on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail.

Captions by Craig Lamb

Wood came to early B.A.S.S. events to learn what anglers desired in a bass boat. To do that took listening to their needs on the shore, while getting ideas from his own boat. He did that by competing in the tournaments as well.
Wood came to early B.A.S.S. events to learn what anglers desired in a bass boat. To do that took listening to their needs on the shore, while getting ideas from his own boat. He did that by competing in the tournaments as well.
Wood competed in 101 Bassmaster Tournament Trail events between 1969 and 1992. His first tournament was the 1969 Eufaula Team event. On the winning team were Wood, Bill Dance, Bobby Murray and Bob Ponds. The team’s winning weight was 120 pounds, 6 ounces. Wood’s final tournament was the 1992 Bassmaster 25th Anniversary tournament on Beaver Lake, Arkansas.
Wood competed in 101 Bassmaster Tournament Trail events between 1969 and 1992. His first tournament was the 1969 Eufaula Team event. On the winning team were Wood, Bill Dance, Bobby Murray and Bob Ponds. The team’s winning weight was 120 pounds, 6 ounces. Wood’s final tournament was the 1992 Bassmaster 25th Anniversary tournament on Beaver Lake, Arkansas.
1972 was a monumental year for Wood and Ranger. Wood qualified for his first of two Bassmaster Classics. Ranger also became the official boat of the Bassmaster Classic. The second Classic was on Percy Priest Lake, outside of Nashville.
1972 was a monumental year for Wood and Ranger. Wood qualified for his first of two Bassmaster Classics. Ranger also became the official boat of the Bassmaster Classic. The second Classic was on Percy Priest Lake, outside of Nashville.
Wood won the 1979 New York Invitational on the St. Lawrence River with a weight of 47 pounds, 3 ounces. That win helped gain him a second berth in the Classic. Here, Wood weighs in at the Classic held on Lake Texoma, where he finished ninth.
Wood won the 1979 New York Invitational on the St. Lawrence River with a weight of 47 pounds, 3 ounces. That win helped gain him a second berth in the Classic. Here, Wood weighs in at the Classic held on Lake Texoma, where he finished ninth.
Wood and his wife Nina both attended the tournaments. Part of what they enjoyed the most was visiting with the anglers. Here, Wood poses with Ray Scott and Hank Parker, winner of the 1988 Missouri Invitational.
Wood and his wife Nina both attended the tournaments. Part of what they enjoyed the most was visiting with the anglers. Here, Wood poses with Ray Scott and Hank Parker, winner of the 1988 Missouri Invitational.
Ranger’s status as the official boat thrust the company into the media spotlight. As the Classic grew, so did B.A.S.S. and Ranger.
Ranger’s status as the official boat thrust the company into the media spotlight. As the Classic grew, so did B.A.S.S. and Ranger.
While Wood competed in two Classics, he was always there to promote Ranger. A special interest was working with the outdoor media. In this 1982 photo he is demonstrating the Classic boat for a photo shoot.
While Wood competed in two Classics, he was always there to promote Ranger. A special interest was working with the outdoor media. In this 1982 photo he is demonstrating the Classic boat for a photo shoot.
The Classic location was a mystery in the early years. The boats were transported by truck to the Classic lake at night to keep the location veiled in secrecy. That ended in 1977 when the Classic location was announced ahead of time so fans could attend the event.
The Classic location was a mystery in the early years. The boats were transported by truck to the Classic lake at night to keep the location veiled in secrecy. That ended in 1977 when the Classic location was announced ahead of time so fans could attend the event.
Over the years, special theme nights were a highlight of the Classic. One of the most anticipated of all was Ranger Night. Forrest and Nina took great pride and enjoyment from recognizing Ranger anglers and others for their achievements. Pictured are Ray Scott, Forrest, B.A.S.S. CEO and owner Helen Sevier, Nina and Dewey Kendrick, the tournament director for B.A.S.S.
Over the years, special theme nights were a highlight of the Classic. One of the most anticipated of all was Ranger Night. Forrest and Nina took great pride and enjoyment from recognizing Ranger anglers and others for their achievements. Pictured are Ray Scott, Forrest, B.A.S.S. CEO and owner Helen Sevier, Nina and Dewey Kendrick, the tournament director for B.A.S.S.
This was a Classic takeoff tradition. Scott began with a prayer before leading the anglers out to the takeoff spot and Wood drove their boat. Said Scott, “I remember so many cool early mornings at Bassmaster Classics as Forrest and I watched the tournament boats idle and launch as the sun barely rose. There was tall, lanky Forrest in his white cowboy hat, and a mug of hot coffee always at hand.”
This was a Classic takeoff tradition. Scott began with a prayer before leading the anglers out to the takeoff spot and Wood drove their boat. Said Scott, “I remember so many cool early mornings at Bassmaster Classics as Forrest and I watched the tournament boats idle and launch as the sun barely rose. There was tall, lanky Forrest in his white cowboy hat, and a mug of hot coffee always at hand.”