Thomas Lynn Wood

Thomas (Tom) Lynn Wood, of Mexico Beach, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. A successful entrepreneur and gifted artist, Tom was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

Born on May 20, 1940, in Liberty, New York, to the late Kathryn Faye Rohrback Wood and Lyman Venn Wood, Tom had a remarkable creative and entrepreneurial spirit. He founded and led Creative Services, a highly successful advertising agency in Atlanta, where his artistic vision and business acumen flourished. Later in life, he and his wife Peggy became the proud owners of the Driftwood Inn in Mexico Beach, Florida—a place he cherished deeply and made special for so many others.

If you knew Tom, you know he was generous to his core. His laugh was absolutely infectious, and he never met a stranger—only friends he hadn’t talked to yet. He had a true gift for connecting with people and brought warmth and joy wherever he went. Tom loved sitting outside watching his birds, chatting with hotel guests, and simply soaking in the beauty of the world around him. A lifelong artist, Tom viewed life through a uniquely creative lens, and his talent shone brightly in everything he did.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Lyman and Kathryn Wood; his brother, Gary Allen Wood (Marion Wood); and his sister-in-law, Jean Wood.

Though he was proud of his professional and artistic accomplishments, Tom’s greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Peggy Stegall Wood; his children, Barton Thomas Wood (Marla Wood), Shawna Fay Wood, and Brandy Wood Gorey Jessen (Jack Jessen); and his eight grandchildren: Taylor Wood (Cooper O’Brien), Bailey Wood (Scout), Mackenzie Wood, Dawson Hillard-Wood, Collin Gorey (Delilah), Sydney Gorey, Abby Jessen Peoples (Andrew), and Sam Jessen(Alex). He also leaves behind four great-grandchildren: Maverick Wood-Trammell, Lincoln Wood-Trammell, Tomi Delberto, and Henderson Gorey.

Tom is also survived by his brother, Lyman Wood, Jr., and nieces and nephews: Lyman Wood III, Donna Wood Richardson, Roxanne Wood, and Bonnie Wood Nelson.

Tom’s creative spirit, generous heart, and deep love for his family will be remembered always.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Driftwood Inn in October. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to one of his favorite charities, the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association https://mbara.org. Your donations in his memory will help us build a reef memorial in his name.