Edgar Adam Woods

Edgar Adam Woods, “Chub” to family and friends, 52 years young, of Joplin, MT, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on the evening of February 7, 2026, after a courageous 22-month battle with stage IV gastroesophageal cancer.

Edgar “Chub” was born on September 27, 1973, in Chester, MT, to his parents, Arnie and Marie Woods. His nickname started early due to him being heavy for his size, but never fat. As the third born out of ten, growing up on a farm 40 miles north of town, he grew up quickly and shouldered responsibility early. From a very young age, Chub loved taking things apart to see how they work; there was nothing he couldn’t fix. Eventually, even before graduating high school, his love for harvest took him South to custom harvest during the summers. After he graduated from Chester High School in 1992, he went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Diesel Technology with a minor in Automotive Technology from MSU-Northern in 1996. He graduated with honors at the top of his class and while a senior at Northern, placed second at the National VICA competition.

Chub met his best friend and love of his life, Lori Krittenbrink, in the fall of 1996 during a harvest run to Oklahoma. They married 3 years later, on December 4, 1999 in her hometown of Wakita. From their union, Chub and Lori were blessed with three beautiful children: Ethan, Tommy K, and Haddie. They resided in Wakita, until 2009, when they moved to Joplin, MT.

Chub held many occupations throughout his life. While living in Oklahoma with his wife and children, he custom harvested during the summers and worked as a diesel mechanic in the winters. Even after moving to Montana, he continued to take on equipment repair and mechanic jobs for friends and neighbors who were fortunate enough to secure his time. Chub began farming and continued custom cutting and trucking. In 2019, when he started working for A.B. Energy in the oil and gas field, he passed his custom harvesting and trucking business on to his son Ethan.

Chub was a family man first. His love for his wife, children, and grandchild, was unmatched. When he wasn’t working or spending time with his family and granddaughter, Chub enjoyed fishing, bowling, riding horses, gopher hunting with his wife, and countless other family adventures. Chub was known as the “baby whisperer”, one of his most genuine qualities in the truest sense - patient, calm, and endlessly gentle. Children were drawn to his quiet strength, peace and warmth, and he had a special way of making everyone feel safe and loved, even in the smallest of moments. Anyone who knew Chub for any length of time could speak of his kind-heartedness and outstanding work ethic. Chub showed his love through action, as a provider, protector, and as a pillar of strength for his family, always putting others before himself. As a husband, he was fun-loving, loyal and steady. As a father and papa, he was nurturing, proud, and compassionate. As a son, he was respectful, caring, and deeply devoted, passing on the values he was raised with onto his children throughout his life. As a brother, he was a constant—offering help, support, laughter, and a listening ear whenever needed. As an uncle, he was protective and loving, forming special bonds with his nieces and nephews that they will carry forever. To friends—and even to strangers—Chub was welcoming, genuine, and kind-hearted. He had a way of making everyone feel like they belonged. He was the kind of friend who showed up, listened without judgment, and gave freely of his time and heart which speaks to the goodness of his soul. He will be remembered for all of these things, especially the deep love he had for his family. His presence brought comfort, and his legacy lives on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.

Chub is survived by his wife, Lori; son, Ethan Woods of Joplin; daughters, Tommy K (Taylor) Gopher of Havre and Haddie Woods of Joplin; grandchildren, Kinsley Woods and Baby (Zayden) Gopher; parents, Arnie and Marie Woods of Chester; brothers, Coby Woods of Conrad, Bo (Joette) Woods of Chester, Preston (Jenny) Woods of Chester, and Scottie Woods of Chester; sisters, Georgina (Jon) Kaftan of Havre, Monica Sheldon and Katherine Gaddy of North Carolina, Charla (Kyle) Terry of Havre, and Joline (Will) Taylor of Wyoming as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Edgar (Dolly) Woods of Chester and Elmer (Donna) Afdahl; aunt, Angie Woods; uncle, Dean Woods; and nephews, Zane Somerfeld and Weslie Taylor.

“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.” —Unknown.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on February 14, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chester, MT with burial to follow at the Chester Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Asper Funeral Homes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Great Falls Clinic Cancer Center.