John H. "Woody" Wood

John H. “Woody” Wood, 87, of Fort Smith, died September 12, 2010 in Fort Smith. He was born September 4, 1923 in Springfield, MA to Howard H. and Ruth Erickson Wood. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Major in field Artillery after serving during World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War. After retirement, he was employed by Carney and Gott Realtors, Speedway and Sportsman Liquor Stores. He was a member of the Central Presbyterian Church, American Legion Ellig-Stouffer Post 31, former Board Member of Fullfill-a-Dream, and the Arkansas Retired Military Association. His hobbies included reading, spending time at his cabin on the lake and woodworking. He was a volunteer woodworker for the Old Fort Museum, but was best known for his animated Christmas display that featured Disney and Sesame Street Characters that appeared on the corner of South 33rd and Boston Streets for many years. He was known also for his sense of humor and kindness.

He is survived by two daughters, Barbara A. Saxon and husband David of Fort Smith and Patsy E. Hendrickson and husband Terry of Chugiak, AK; one brother, Robert F. Wood of Memphis, TN; five grandchildren, Mat Hendrickson and wife Jen of Spotsylvania, VA., Lisa Fillmore and husband David of Red Oak, IA., Laura Saxon of Chicago, IL., Ben Saxon of Japan and Jocelyn Saxon of Chicago, IL., and six great grandchildren; his neighbors and friends of the Lake Tenkiller ANG Club and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Pauline May Wood, his parents and one sister, Phoebe Ann Wood.

Funeral service will be Monday, September 20th, 2010 at 10:00 AM in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel followed by burial with Full Military Honors in the U.S. National Cemetery. Services and Cremation are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Sunday from 2-4 PM. The Body may be viewed from Friday until the end of Visitation on Sunday.

Memorial may be made to the Don W. Reynolds Cancer Support House 3324 South “M” Street Fort Smith, AR 72903 or the Gregory Kistler Treatment Center for Children 3304 South “M” Street Fort Smith, AR 72903

To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com