Thomas Edward “Butch” Wood, 78, of Victoria, Texas passed away surrounded by his family Sunday, August 8, 2021. He was born May 15, 1943, in Sugar Land, TX to Gertrude Thieman Wood and Tom J. Wood. Raised in Stafford, Butch’s outgoing personality, dependability, and ability to capture the hearts of anyone who crossed his path was evident from an early age. Graduating from John Foster Dulles in 1962, he was named Mr. Dulles with the following description, “Whether Thomas was acting in his official capacity as President of the Student Council, President of the FFA, being a football captain, launching the subscription campaign for the Viking Shield, or introducing the speaker at an assembly program, he always came through”. He attended Sam Houston State and married the love of his life, Jamalyn Ann Farrell, August 25, 1967. They were blessed with three strapping sons, Darrell, Chad, and Farrell.
Butch worked hard as long as he was able, providing his sons with an outstanding example of a hard-working family man. His stellar work ethic was first exhibited while working with his father and brother at Wood’s Gulf Station and later as a rice farmer in De Walt, then Calhoun County. Butch and wife, Jamie, owned Stockade Market in Victoria and Lakeview on Lake Texana. Butch also worked many years with Wood’s Wrecker Service and Integrity Automotive.
While Butch worked hard, he also lived life to the fullest. He loved fishing and hunting with his family; first with his in-laws then later with his sons and, later still, his grandchildren. He had a knack for organizing fishing tournaments; but not so much for winning them! He could often be found helping his sons barbeque on the weekends. His sons continued to seek his advice through the remainder of his life.
He adored his grandchildren and they adored him right back. Papa was their hero and was always the knight in shining armor in his brown truck with a bag of doughnuts. Even after a stroke claimed most of his mobility, he still loved supervising those wild Woods!
In recent years, he resided at Twin Pines North in Victoria and his happy-go-lucky attitude brightened the days of both residents and staff. Butch was the “Candy Man,” always ready to share candy from his pocket. He enjoyed dominos with his friends and roaming the halls, keeping tabs on activities.
Butch is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Jamalyn Ann Wood; sons, Darrell James Wood (Hope), Chad Edward Wood (Anna), and Farrell Thomas Wood (Vilma); brother, Norman Wood (Carolyn); and sisters, Carolyn Johnson-Davis (Stanley) and Sharon McReynolds (John); and sister-in-law, Tammy Farrell. His legacy also lives on in grandchildren Nathan Budd, Brady Karl, Mason Wood, Laya Karl, Ty Wood, Haley Wood, Hannah Wood, Gabrielle Wood, Eli Wood, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Pat and Dan Smith; father-in-law, J.T. Farrell; mother-in-law, Verna Kelley; and brothers-in-law, Mark Farrell and Bob Johnson.
Visitation will be Saturday, August 14, 2021, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Tx. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 with interment to follow at Red Bluff Cemetery in Vanderbilt. Pallbearers will be Nathan Budd, Mason Wood, Keven Stephens, Ken Kelley, Jordan McReynolds, and Albert Kelley. Ty Wood and Eli Wood will escort Butch as junior pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Brady Karl and Cody Farrell.
The Wood family would like to thank Twin Pines North for their excellent and compassionate care for Butch.
