Charles L. Wood, III

Charles "Charlie" LeRoy Wood, III, entered into rest on December 20, 2016. Charlie was born in San Antonio and raised in Bulverde, TX. After graduating from New Braunfels HS in 1969, he attended Blinn College on a Music Scholarship, where he was a member of the Blinn College Ensemble. In 1971, he enlisted in the US Army National Guard, where he served until 1977. He graduated from the National Institute of Technology in 1985.

Charlie was born with an exceptional gift for music. His music education began with Banjo lessons from his father at the age of seven, later transitioning to guitar. He was a virtuosic guitarist, and was also prolific on bass, banjo, ukulele, steel guitar, piano, drums, tuba, baritone, and harmonica. In addition to his ability to play instruments, he was an accomplished songwriter, music arranger, and Recording engineer. His experience and abilities covered all styles and genres of music, and he played in many bands, most notably the house band at the legendary Gilleys Honky Tonk. He found his niche in the late 1990s when he released his first of three Jazz Albums, In the Thick of the Woods. Also in the late 1990s, he began teaching private guitar lessons and opened his music school, Third Stream Music, in Bulverde, TX.

Charlie played in several Jazz festivals, and performed internationally and recorded with other musicians around the world. He has also opened for such artists as Spyro Gyra, Stanley Jordan, Walter Beasley, Boney James, Kenny Garrett, and more. Charlie and his Jazz music were nominated for 2 Grammys for his CDs (In The Thick of the Woods and Watercolours), and also received two Global Music Awards in 2015 (Rhythms of the Eclipse) and 2016 (Watercolours). He also was featured performer for several jazz performances as well as having his own concerts at the Cameo Theater. He had endorsements with Epiphone Guitars, Zemaitis Guitars, Dunlop Picks, DAddario Strings, and was a member of BMI and NARAS. Charlie also had accomplishments within the Theater where he performed as a Music Director for the plays "Johnny Cash" and "Precious Memories."

In the last 5 years, Charlie and his wife, Debbie, had become active members and instructors for Integral Education and Connected Wisdom as well as for Kabbalah.

Charlie was a devoted Husband, son, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend. His life is an example of acceptance, understanding, love, patience, kindness, and unity. He believed we are all connected, and that we need to "cover all things with love" and always go with faith above our reasoning mind. Charlie was a "hugger" and gave hugs to everyone and told everyone "he loved them." His music, teaching, and loving demeanor touched everyone he met.

Charlie was preceded in death by his Father, Charles LeRoy Wood, II. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Munoz Wood, his mother Jane Boice Wood of Bulverde, sister, Melissa Wood and husband Ned Munkres of Bulverde, children, Charles Wood IV (Brooke) of Bulverde, Ruthie (Cade) Rensmeyer of San Antonio, David (Jill) Walker of San Antonio, Tara Mayorga of San Antonio, Kevin Walker of San Antonio, and Deanna Wood, 13 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charlie was a member of the Congregation Agudas Achim. Graveside services were held on December 22, 2016 at Agudas Achim Memorial Gardens cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham.