Dean Chase Colonel Wood

Colonel Dean Chase Wood passed away peacefully on October 19, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was born on November 7, 1933 to Malcolm and Alice Wood in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Dean graduated in the first class at the United States Air Force Academy in 1959, and at the time of his death was the oldest living graduate. In later years he graduated with a Masters Degree from George Washington University. He proudly served his country as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force flying F-105s during combat in Vietnam. Col. Wood served as base commander at Randolph AFB. He was an avid outdoorsman, bird watcher, expert pool player, hunter and fisherman.

Dean was a loving husband and devoted father, and proud grandfather to his beloved grandchildren whom he loved teaching to play pool, fish, enjoy the outdoors and take care of his show chickens. His friends and classmates remember him as a true friend, with an outstanding sense of humor and positive outlook, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Dean is survived by his loving wife Sharon Cotton Wood, his daughters Deborah Bassel, Theresa Wood Ochs and husband Brian, his son Thomas Harnitchek, Son-in-law Bob Cotton and wife Ellen Dean Cotton, and 8 grandchildren, McKenna Bassel, Hunter Bassel, Haley Harnitchek, Nola Ochs, Sarah Ellen Payer, William Cotton, Jonathan Cotton and Harrison Cotton.

Memorial Services, with full military honors, will be held in San Antonio at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 315 E. Pecan Street on Friday, October 23 at 2:00 p.m. and in Port Lavaca at Grace Episcopal Church on Saturday, October 24, at 1:00 pm. Please join the family in wearing joyful colors for his services in celebration of his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Dean's honor to be sent to: Calhoun County Humane Society, 201 Stringham Drive, Port Lavaca, Texas 77979.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons William Cotton, Jonathan Cotton and Harrison Cotton. Honorary Pallbearers will be his Air Force Academy class of '59 comrades