John Ralph Wood was born June 28, 1939, in Woodlake, CA. and passed away November 28, 2025, at his home in Visalia, California, surrounded by his family. He was the youngest of eleven children. John lived in several neighboring towns while growing up but promptly moved back to Woodlake after graduating from Caruthers High School. He completed the Building Trades program at the College of the Sequoias in 1958 and also met Barbara Scott during this time.
In November of 1958 John and his brother, Bud, built their first house and quickly sold it, beginning their business of Wood Bros. Construction. In the spring of 1960, John and Barbara both committed their lives to Jesus Christ and were saved. Soon after, they married on July 2, 1960. They had four daughters Janice, Sandra, Debra and Cindie.
Over the years, and especially after his retirement from Wood Brothers in 2001, John enjoyed donating much of his time to help on various church building projects, community projects such as the Woodlake Museum, and building projects for friends and family. He happily donated his plan drawings, and his time physically doing anything that was needed on a project. He often said he felt the most fulfilled when he was helping others. He was a faithful member of the Apostolic Faith Church for many years and was devoted in his prayer life.
John was preceded in death by his parents Morris and Zola Wood, his 10 siblings, and his wife Barbara Scott Wood. He is survived by his four daughters and their husbands, Jan and Fred Klauser, Sandy and Dave Enns, Debra and Steve Hopper, and Cindie and Randy Baltzell as well as 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
