John Kenneth Wood Jr.

WOOD, JR.-John Kenneth , Age 77 of Nashville TN passed away on Tuesday, January 8, 2013. He was born in St. Francisville, LA and was the eldest of 4 children. A loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, he is preceded in death by his parents, Hannah Rosenthal Wood and J. Kenneth Wood, Sr. Ken is survived by his wife, Mabel; daughters Sandra Elder and Wendy Turner (Edwin); sons J Kenneth III (Ke), Brian (Janice), Bill (Shelia), Charles (Contessa) and Albert (Julie) Wood; eighteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sisters Hannah Dwyer (Harry Jr.) and Mary Deaton (Bob); and brother Alexander N. Wood. Visitation will be Friday, January 11th 4pm to 7pm at St. Henry’s Church, 6401 Harding Road, Nashville, TN 37205. Rosary will be said at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be at 10am on Saturday, January 12th at St. Henry’s Church.

Ken graduated valedictorian of his high school class of 1953 in St. Francisville, Louisiana. As a young adult, he attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute, where he met Mabel Doran Wood, whom he married in 1957. He later graduated from the University of Michigan with Bachelor and Master degrees in Actuarial Science. He had a successful career beginning in New Orleans with Pan American Life, then relocating to Nashville in 1969 with Life & Casualty, later retiring from American General. He earned his certification as a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries in 1980.

Ken was very active in lay ministry and charitable organizations. While living in New Orleans he was Director of CCD for St Andrews church. After moving to Nashville he became a member of the Knights of Columbus #544 where he served as treasurer for many years. As a member of St Henry Catholic Church and School, he served as lector, Eucharistic Minister, long-time Scout Master of Troop 6, and member of the school board. He was also passionately involved with the charitable efforts of the St Vincent De Paul Society at St Henry’s, was an affiliate of the Daughters of Charity, board member for Big Brothers of Nashville, and was named the 2004 Social Services Volunteer of the Year by Catholic Charities of Nashville.

Donations may be made to St. Henry’s St. Vincent DePaul Society, 6401 Harding Road, Nashville, TN 37205.