Dr. Arthur Wellesley Wood

Dr. Arthur Wellesley Wood, Jr., 87, of Punta Gorda, FL went to be with the Lord peacefully at his home on Wednesday, Sept.5, 2007. He was born September 28, 1919 in Albany, Ga., the devoted son of the late Dr. Arthur Wellesley Wood and Banks Carter Wood. He moved to Miami, Florida in 1925 where he was active in the Boy Scouts and graduated from Miami High School at the age of 15. Arthur was a graduate of Emory University where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and was on the swimming and track teams. He also loved photography and even had his own dark room. He graduated from Emory Medical School class of 1943. He joined the Army while in Medical School and began active duty after he completed his surgical residency. He met his bride, Jolly, in Miami while in residency in Jackson Memorial Hospital in early 1944 as she was finishing nursing school and they enjoyed a wonderful 63 years of marriage.

After his service in the Army as a Captain with the 323rd Engineer Battalion he returned to Miami and joined his fathers medical practice. Arthur Sr. and Arthur Junior were the first father/ son Presidents of the Miami Lions Club. He was Chief of staff several times at North Shore hospital while in Miami and an avid golfer, sailor and fisherman. The love of his grandchildren brought him over to Punta Gorda where he established his surgical practice in 1979. Adoring patients followed him over from Miami. Arthur truly was a compassionate, brilliant surgeon and admired by many. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the Florida Medical Association He operated exclusively out of Charlotte County Medical Center now known as Charlotte Regional until he retired in 1987. He and his wife Jolly were the founders of American Cancer Society 125ACS125 to many. They chaired the fund raising for 23 years and raised more than $275, 000. Arthur and Jolly were famous for growing and giving their beautiful roses. He loved working in his yard with his plants, roses and citrus.

He was a faithful member of the Cleveland United Methodist Church for 28 years.

Arthur was known for his quick wit, his incredible memory and his sage one-liners.

He is survived by his loving family, Kentucky born wife Gladys Jolly Wood; his sister Banks Carter Sharp of Vicksburg, MS; his daughters Linda Wood Marshman of Punta Gorda and Nancy Wood Welch of Athens, GA; his son Arthur Wellesley Wood III of Homosassa, Fl; and his five grandchildren Whitney Linder Earnheart of Tulsa, OK; Allison Linder Jones of Tulsa, OK; Jolly Faye Welch of Charlotte, NC, Ryan Wellesley Wood of Orlando, FL; and Lindsay Kathryn Wood of Port Orange, FL. Many nieces, nephews and many great friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 PM, Sunday, September 9, 2007, at the Cleveland United Methodist Church with a fellowship gathering after in Warram Hall at the church. Memorial Contributions in honor of Arthur may be made in lieu of flowers to the Cleveland United Methodist Church 28038 Cleveland Ave., Punta Gorda, FL 33982.

Clevelandumc@earthlink, net.