Charles Burton Wood Sr.

It is with both deep sorrow and loving remembrance that we announce the passing of Charles B. Wood, Sr., who entered into eternal rest on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the VA Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 81.

Charles was born on June 26, 1944, in Woodward, Oklahoma, to Frederic Burlen Wood and Muriel (Rogers) Wood. He attended Woodward schools and graduated from Woodward High School in 1962. Even as a young man, Charles was dedicated to serving others, joining the Woodward Central Fire Station while still in high school.

Charles proudly devoted much of his life to military service, honoring his country with dedication and distinction. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1962 and served aboard the USS Sampson until 1966 before continuing in the Naval Reserve. In 1968, he re-enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served as an Aircraft Mechanic and Maintenance Specialist for more than 16 years. Throughout his distinguished military career, Charles also served as a Technical Training Instructor in Strategic and Tactical Aircraft Maintenance and was part of the team that worked on improvements to the B-1B Lancer during the 1980s. Following his military retirement in 1997, he began a second career in civil service as a computer programmer, retiring in 2018.

Committed to lifelong learning, Charles attended the University of Central Oklahoma, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and General Business in 1997. His passion for technology and learning continued throughout his life as he regularly expanded his knowledge and stayed current with evolving computer programming languages.

Music remained one of Charles’s greatest joys throughout his life. After retirement, he could often be found playing bass guitar or drums at church and, for a time, performing with the Tinker Flying High Band. He was a talented and versatile musician who loved sharing his gifts with others. Known as “Kahoy” or “Woody” in some circles, Charles is remembered for his playful sense of humor, quick wit, and appreciation for life’s simple comforts, especially ice cream and strawberry milkshakes, along with a Cane’s chicken meal with “toast, buttered on just one side.” Friends and family will fondly remember his familiar responses when asked how he was doing. Most days, he was “pretty…good,” or often answered with, “S.O.S. — Same ol’ stuff.”

On October 6, 1970, Charles married the love of his life, Ester Yape, in the Philippines. Together they built a life filled with faith, family, and devotion. Following assignments at Dover and Travis Air Force Base, Charles was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base. In 1980, he and Ester settled in Midwest City, where they built their home, raised their family, and became part of the community for more than 40 years.

Charles is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Ester Wood; his children, Michelle Wood of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Misty Shuck and spouse Robert of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Charles Wood Jr. of Dallas, Texas, and Cher Musico and spouse Kerry of Dallas, Texas. He was a grandfather to Alexander Crawford and spouse Alexandra, Zacharias Crawford and spouse Stephanie, Cassidy Miller, and Roman Musico; and brother to Barry Wood and spouse Peggy of Woodward, Oklahoma, and David Guthrie of Woodward, Oklahoma. He is also survived by other relatives and many dear friends whose lives were enriched by knowing him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederic Burlen Wood and Muriel (Rogers-Wood) Guthrie.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of Kingwood Nursing and Therapy, as well as the doctors, nurses, and caregivers of the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System for the exceptional care and kindness shown to Charles.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home at Sunny Lane Cemetery, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Meadowood Baptist Church, 2816 N. Woodcrest Drive, Midwest City, Oklahoma.

Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Cemetery, 3400 N. Midwest Boulevard, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Family and friends are warmly invited to join in a fellowship reception at Meadowood Baptist Church immediately following the interment as they gather to celebrate and remember Charles’s life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Charles Wood to Kingwood Skilled Nursing & Therapy, 1921 Northeast 21 Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111.