KALAI WOODY STRODE (December 16, 1946-November 27, 2014) Kalai Woody Strode (born Woodrow Wilson Kalaeloa Strode), passed away November 27 after a brave three-year battle with cancer. Kalai was born in Los Angeles to a show business family. His father was the legendary actor and NFL athlete Woody Strode. His mother Luana was a famed Hawaiian actress and hula dancer. Kalai was a lifelong writer and scholar, with degrees from UCLA and the University of Hawaii. In Hawaii he was affiliated with the East-West Center. His facility with languages led to his hiring as a guide-interpreter at the US Pavilion, Expo '70, Osaka, Japan. After completing a Directors Guild of America training program in Hollywood, Kalai served as an assistant director on over 40 music videos, feature films, and TV series, among them Roots, Diagnosis Murder with Dick Van Dyke, Fantasy Island, and Lou Grant. As a proud member of the Teamsters Union, local 996, in Hawaii, he also worked as a movie driver. His acting credits include Hawaii 5-0, and he was recently featured in a documentary about his father's NFL career. Before his death he achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a college professor. His bliss was in teaching, and he was acclaimed by his students at the University of North Dakota. After his marriage to Pamela Larson Strode, an actor affiliated with SAG/AFTRA, Kalai spent 13 years in Hawaii. He left for necessary medical treatment but the couple planned to return to their beloved Hawaii once he'd conquered his illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and uncle. Survivors include his devoted wife Pamela, his son Joshua Strode, his sister June Strode and her family, two step-sons, a step-daughter-in-law, and two step-grandchildren. His wife, whom he called his earth angel, has returned him to Hawaii for burial. Services will be held at the Tabernacle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1560 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814, on January 17, 2015. 10 to 10:45 a.m. viewing; 11-12 noon service in chapel; 12-1 p.m. refreshments in the hall; 2:30 p.m. graveside services, Valley of the Temples.
KALAI WOODY STRODE (December 16, 1946-November 27, 2014) Kalai Woody Strode (born Woodrow Wilson Kalaeloa Strode), passed away November 27 after a brave three-year battle with cancer. Kalai was born in Los Angeles to a show business family. His father was the legendary actor and NFL athlete Woody Strode. His mother Luana was a famed Hawaiian actress and hula dancer. Kalai was a lifelong writer and scholar, with degrees from UCLA and the University of Hawaii. In Hawaii he was affiliated with the East-West Center. His facility with languages led to his hiring as a guide-interpreter at the US Pavilion, Expo '70, Osaka, Japan. After completing a Directors Guild of America training program in Hollywood, Kalai served as an assistant director on over 40 music videos, feature films, and TV series, among them Roots, Diagnosis Murder with Dick Van Dyke, Fantasy Island, and Lou Grant. As a proud member of the Teamsters Union, local 996, in Hawaii, he also worked as a movie driver. His acting credits include Hawaii 5-0, and he was recently featured in a documentary about his father's NFL career. Before his death he achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a college professor. His bliss was in teaching, and he was acclaimed by his students at the University of North Dakota. After his marriage to Pamela Larson Strode, an actor affiliated with SAG/AFTRA, Kalai spent 13 years in Hawaii. He left for necessary medical treatment but the couple planned to return to their beloved Hawaii once he'd conquered his illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and uncle. Survivors include his devoted wife Pamela, his son Joshua Strode, his sister June Strode and her family, two step-sons, a step-daughter-in-law, and two step-grandchildren. His wife, whom he called his earth angel, has returned him to Hawaii for burial. Services will be held at the Tabernacle of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1560 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814, on January 17, 2015. 10 to 10:45 a.m. viewing; 11-12 noon service in chapel; 12-1 p.m. refreshments in the hall; 2:30 p.m. graveside services, Valley of the Temples.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
