J. Trigg Wood

Colonel J. Trigg Wood, Jr., Ret., devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, May 24, 2014. Born on November 9, 1924 in Collins, Mississippi, he was the son of Martha and John Trigg Wood, Sr.   Trigg grew up in Mendenhall, Mississippi and after High School graduation, attended L.S.U.   Trigg then transferred to Purdue University, where he was enrolled in the Army Specialized Training Program, until he was deployed to the European Theatre.  Landing in Normandy, three days after D-Day, Trigg fought with the 102nd Infantry Division across Central Europe and into the Rhineland.    Trigg was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his service during WWII, along with numerous other medals. After his service in WWII, Trigg returned to L.S.U.  Trigg was in R.O.T.C. and served as the head of the Pershing Rifles Honor Company.  Trigg graduated from L.S.U. with a degree in Business and later with an M.B.A.  Trigg then went to work for Exxon, retiring as Human Resources Manager after 35+ years. Trigg served as an Elder at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, where he organized and participated in many mission trips with the church.  Trigg had a special place in his heart for the Mexican Indian Mission School in Cordoba, Mexico.  Trigg especially loved his trips and his work for the Lord with that school. Trigg was a member of numerous civic and philanthropic organizations, serving as an officer in most of the organizations to which he belonged.  He was a member of the S.A.R, the Military Order of the World Wars, the Caledonian Society, The Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Harlequin's Supper Club and served as a Boy Scout Leader.  Trigg was recently inducted into the LSU Cadets of the Ole War Skule's Hall of Honor for Distinguished Military Alumni. Trigg retired from the U.S. Army, after serving for 40+ years, both Active duty and in the Reserves, as a Full Colonel. Trigg was able to travel extensively, both domestically and internationally, and enjoyed visiting friends and family and seeing new places. In 2013, Trigg celebrated 61 years of marriage to his beloved wife, Bettye Baskin Wood.  Trigg is survived by his children Amelia and husband Charlie Simpson, Kathryn and husband Steve Merritt, Thomas Harris Wood and Tracy Hightower, a daughter-in-Law-Ellie Wood, his Grandchildren-Andrew, Lauren and Christian Merritt, Charity Merritt and Husband Keith Ford, Jessica and Suzie Wood, Cole and Michael Simpson, Jill and Bailey Hightower, and Great Grandchildren-Sawyer, Cooper and Logan Ford. Trigg was preceded in death by his wife-Bettye, his son-John Trigg Wood, III, his parents and his older brother William "Billy" Wood. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 27th at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, at 825 Government Street, from 6 to 8 PM.  Visitation will continue on Wednesday, May 28th, 2014 at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church from 9am until funeral services at 10am.  A graveside service will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Thomas Wood, Stephen Andrew Merritt, Christian Merritt, Charlie Simpson, Stephen Merritt, Cole Simpson and Michael Simpson. The family would like to thank the owners and staff of Our House for Respite, Dr. Adi  and his family, Dr. Ashley Coward and Judy McCall for their many kindnesses to Trigg, recently and throughout the years. A special thank you is given to Elaine Bradford and Betty Dunn for their loving and Godly care of Trigg.