Nathaniel - Traudt

Ojai Nat “Woody” Traudt Nat “Woody” Traudt, 77, of Ojai, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2014 at his home in Ojai, after battling metastatic melanoma for a number of months. Born in San Antonio, Texas on January 15, 1937 Woody spent his youth in the Texas Hill Country around the Hunt and Kerrville area. He spent his teenage years in Germany where he attended American High Schools in Frankfurt and Kaiserslautern, followed by four years in the Navy. In 1962, Woody moved to southern California where he met Karen Rust, who on July 31st 1963 would become his wife of 51 years. As a local resident and businessman for the past 50 years, Woody owned and operated several successful businesses, providing jobs and support for hundreds of people. Most notably were the very well-known Pet World locations (1966 - 1997), and Santa Barbara Loan and Jewelry (1993-2010). An avid supporter of youth sports, Woody spent many years coaching Little League baseball and AYSO soccer, as well as a brief stint as head coach of the Nordhoff varsity and junior varsity soccer teams. When Woody wasn’t coaching, his presence in the stands was always heard. He was preceded in death by grandfather and grandmother, Nat & Pearl Traudt and mother and step father Pearl Louise and Roger Stone. Woody is survived by his wife Karen, sons Blake (Gwen), Bart (Britta), Brett (Le’Zette) and daughter, Blaire (Dave) Plunkett and grandchildren, Brandon, Caleb, Brenna, Bryson, Riley, Bradley and Wesley. Also survived by Cousin Jim Birkner, Boerne, Texas and Karen’s family of 300 plus. A “Celebration of Life” will be held at a later date. Please sign the guestbook at: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.