Morgan Woode

Morgan Woode, 67, of Grand Island, died Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, at CHI Health Saint Francis in Grand Island. A Family Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Abundant Life Church in Grand Island. Pastor Christopher Granlee will officiate. The service will be livestreamed on Peters Funeral Home Facebook page. All CDC guidelines will be followed regarding social distancing and face masks are required. Memorials are suggested to the family. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family. Morgan was born on Oct. 6, 1952, in Akim Oda, Ghana in West Africa, the son of James Benjamin and Asi (Takyiwah) Woode. He received his education at a Catholic school, grew to manhood and learned to play the drums ‘til the cows came home. Growing up in Ghana, music was a huge part of his life. He became a professional musician, playing at concerts, festivals, nightclubs and theaters. He later was invited to come to Nebraska to form a band called Ashanti. The group played for school assemblies, educational programs, and in festivals and nightclubs in Grand Island, Norfolk, Lincoln, Omaha and Kansas City. He was united in marriage to Trisha Bolling on July 22, 1999, in Hastings. Over the years he worked at Central Catholic School and later for Grand Island Public Schools, at West Lawn Elementary. He formed his own music group “Fanti Way”, which included his son, Keeran on the drums and his daughter, Sophie would dance. He also taught many young people to play the drums. He received the Outstanding Performer Award from Moonshell Arts & Humanities Council in 2007 and was very proud of becoming an American Citizen on August 31st, 2017. Morgan was a kind and gentle soul who felt music was a universal language that talks to the spirit and makes you feel good about life. He will be dearly missed by students, teachers and coworkers in the school system and his many musician friends and fans. He is survived by his wife, Trisha Woode of Grand Island; son, Keeran Woode of Grand Island; daughter, Sophie Woode of Grand Island; sons, Bismark and Emmanuel Woode, both of Ghana; brother, Ben Woode of Ghana; as well as, other extended family in Ghana. He was preceded in death by his parents; and infant son, Gideon Woode.