Thomas Alton Wood, 91, resident of Wesley Commons, died Sunday, December 15, 2019, at
Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont.
He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Jean Olive Wood, who died in 2008.
Born November 11, 1928 in Lincolnton, NC, he was the son of the late Robert Grady and Corrie Eva Beam Wood. He attended public schools of Gastonia, NC, and graduated with honors from North Carolina State College with a BS degree in 1950.
During the Korean War, he served as Cold Weather Clothing and Equipment Officer in the Office of Quartermaster, Eighth US Army in Seoul. Upon discharge as 1st Lt. in June 1955, he joined Burlington Industries in Roanoke, VA. In December 1956 he joined the Chemstrand Division of Monsanto Company in Pensacola, FL, as a process engineer and was transferred to the Greenwood plant in 1960. Prior to moving to St. Louis in 1970, he was active in the Greenwood Lions Club, President of the Community Concert Association, President of the Greenwood Little Theatre, member of the District 50 School Board and received the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Young Man of the Year presented by the Greenwood Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1963.
While a student at NC State College, Mr. Wood sang with the Raleigh Oratorio Society. He was a tenor soloist and participated with his wife in numerous church choirs and oratorio groups in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, and Missouri. Among his favorite oratorio compositions were Handel’s “Messiah,” Brahms’ “A German Requiem,” and Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.”
Upon his retirement from Monsanto and return to Greenwood in 1992, Mr. Wood was an active member of the Greenwood Lions Club. He served as a board member, club president and co-chaired the first annual Lions Charity Golf Tournament. In March 1997 he took a leadership role in the organizing effort that culminated in the charter of the new Due West Lions Club. In 2007 the Due West Lions Club honored him with the Fred T. Bridges, Jr. Award for outstanding service on behalf of the club.
Lion Wood served Lions District 32-D as District Governor, Chairman of the South Carolina Lions Multiple District 32 Council of Governors, member of the Board of Directors of the Storm Eye Institute of the Medical University of South Carolina, member of the Lions Eye Research Committee, Chairman of the Lions State Advisory Board, board member and secretary of the South Carolina Eye Bank, board member and president of South Carolina Lions Charitable Services. He was elected to the South Carolina Lions Hall of Fame in 2003. Lion Wood was a Progressive Dr. Franklin G. Mason Fellow, a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, a recipient of the Lions International President’s Leadership Award, the Lions International President’s Medal, and the highest award of Lions Clubs International, The Ambassador of Good Will.
Mr. Wood was an active member of First Baptist Church. He was a member of the Chancel Choir until shortly before his death, a member of the Carpenter Sunday School Class and served on the Diaconate and Stewardship, Missions, Constitution and By-Laws, and Capital Campaign Committees. He was a member of American Legion Post 20 and a founding member and past president of the Greenwood Festival Chorale.
At the age of 87, Mr. Wood fulfilled a lifelong dream when he purchased a 1929 Model A Ford roadster. He greatly enjoyed driving his car around town and being a member of the Old 96 District Model A Ford Club.
Mr. Wood is survived by two daughters and a son, Cheryl Wood McLean, her husband Alexander Torrey McLean, III of Cary, NC; Lori Wood McElroy, her husband Charles Howard McElroy of Johns Creek, GA; and one son, Thomas Alton Wood, Jr., his wife Toni Blonski Wood of Cumming, GA and Shanghai, China. He delighted in and was very proud of his eight grandchildren, Matthew Charles McElroy (Matt), his wife Sarah; Lucas Alexander McElroy (Luke), his wife Tricia; Jenna McElroy Hecht, her husband, Evan; Meredith McLean Roberts, her husband, Andrew; Thomas Alton Wood, III (Trey); Colton Robert Wood; Brandon Adam Wood; Jonathan Patrick Wood (J. P.), and four great-grandchildren, Graham McElroy, Kelsey Roberts, Tyler McElroy, and Carson Roberts.
A private committal service will be conducted at Edgewood Cemetery.
© Blyth Funeral Home | Greenwood, SC
Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont.
He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Jean Olive Wood, who died in 2008.
Born November 11, 1928 in Lincolnton, NC, he was the son of the late Robert Grady and Corrie Eva Beam Wood. He attended public schools of Gastonia, NC, and graduated with honors from North Carolina State College with a BS degree in 1950.
During the Korean War, he served as Cold Weather Clothing and Equipment Officer in the Office of Quartermaster, Eighth US Army in Seoul. Upon discharge as 1st Lt. in June 1955, he joined Burlington Industries in Roanoke, VA. In December 1956 he joined the Chemstrand Division of Monsanto Company in Pensacola, FL, as a process engineer and was transferred to the Greenwood plant in 1960. Prior to moving to St. Louis in 1970, he was active in the Greenwood Lions Club, President of the Community Concert Association, President of the Greenwood Little Theatre, member of the District 50 School Board and received the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Young Man of the Year presented by the Greenwood Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1963.
While a student at NC State College, Mr. Wood sang with the Raleigh Oratorio Society. He was a tenor soloist and participated with his wife in numerous church choirs and oratorio groups in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, and Missouri. Among his favorite oratorio compositions were Handel’s “Messiah,” Brahms’ “A German Requiem,” and Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.”
Upon his retirement from Monsanto and return to Greenwood in 1992, Mr. Wood was an active member of the Greenwood Lions Club. He served as a board member, club president and co-chaired the first annual Lions Charity Golf Tournament. In March 1997 he took a leadership role in the organizing effort that culminated in the charter of the new Due West Lions Club. In 2007 the Due West Lions Club honored him with the Fred T. Bridges, Jr. Award for outstanding service on behalf of the club.
Lion Wood served Lions District 32-D as District Governor, Chairman of the South Carolina Lions Multiple District 32 Council of Governors, member of the Board of Directors of the Storm Eye Institute of the Medical University of South Carolina, member of the Lions Eye Research Committee, Chairman of the Lions State Advisory Board, board member and secretary of the South Carolina Eye Bank, board member and president of South Carolina Lions Charitable Services. He was elected to the South Carolina Lions Hall of Fame in 2003. Lion Wood was a Progressive Dr. Franklin G. Mason Fellow, a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, a recipient of the Lions International President’s Leadership Award, the Lions International President’s Medal, and the highest award of Lions Clubs International, The Ambassador of Good Will.
Mr. Wood was an active member of First Baptist Church. He was a member of the Chancel Choir until shortly before his death, a member of the Carpenter Sunday School Class and served on the Diaconate and Stewardship, Missions, Constitution and By-Laws, and Capital Campaign Committees. He was a member of American Legion Post 20 and a founding member and past president of the Greenwood Festival Chorale.
At the age of 87, Mr. Wood fulfilled a lifelong dream when he purchased a 1929 Model A Ford roadster. He greatly enjoyed driving his car around town and being a member of the Old 96 District Model A Ford Club.
Mr. Wood is survived by two daughters and a son, Cheryl Wood McLean, her husband Alexander Torrey McLean, III of Cary, NC; Lori Wood McElroy, her husband Charles Howard McElroy of Johns Creek, GA; and one son, Thomas Alton Wood, Jr., his wife Toni Blonski Wood of Cumming, GA and Shanghai, China. He delighted in and was very proud of his eight grandchildren, Matthew Charles McElroy (Matt), his wife Sarah; Lucas Alexander McElroy (Luke), his wife Tricia; Jenna McElroy Hecht, her husband, Evan; Meredith McLean Roberts, her husband, Andrew; Thomas Alton Wood, III (Trey); Colton Robert Wood; Brandon Adam Wood; Jonathan Patrick Wood (J. P.), and four great-grandchildren, Graham McElroy, Kelsey Roberts, Tyler McElroy, and Carson Roberts.
A private committal service will be conducted at Edgewood Cemetery.
© Blyth Funeral Home | Greenwood, SC
Thomas Alton Wood, 91, resident of Wesley Commons, died Sunday, December 15, 2019, at
Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont.
He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Jean Olive Wood, who died in 2008.
Born November 11, 1928 in Lincolnton, NC, he was the son of the late Robert Grady and Corrie Eva Beam Wood. He attended public schools of Gastonia, NC, and graduated with honors from North Carolina State College with a BS degree in 1950.
During the Korean War, he served as Cold Weather Clothing and Equipment Officer in the Office of Quartermaster, Eighth US Army in Seoul. Upon discharge as 1st Lt. in June 1955, he joined Burlington Industries in Roanoke, VA. In December 1956 he joined the Chemstrand Division of Monsanto Company in Pensacola, FL, as a process engineer and was transferred to the Greenwood plant in 1960. Prior to moving to St. Louis in 1970, he was active in the Greenwood Lions Club, President of the Community Concert Association, President of the Greenwood Little Theatre, member of the District 50 School Board and received the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Young Man of the Year presented by the Greenwood Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1963.
While a student at NC State College, Mr. Wood sang with the Raleigh Oratorio Society. He was a tenor soloist and participated with his wife in numerous church choirs and oratorio groups in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, and Missouri. Among his favorite oratorio compositions were Handel’s “Messiah,” Brahms’ “A German Requiem,” and Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.”
Upon his retirement from Monsanto and return to Greenwood in 1992, Mr. Wood was an active member of the Greenwood Lions Club. He served as a board member, club president and co-chaired the first annual Lions Charity Golf Tournament. In March 1997 he took a leadership role in the organizing effort that culminated in the charter of the new Due West Lions Club. In 2007 the Due West Lions Club honored him with the Fred T. Bridges, Jr. Award for outstanding service on behalf of the club.
Lion Wood served Lions District 32-D as District Governor, Chairman of the South Carolina Lions Multiple District 32 Council of Governors, member of the Board of Directors of the Storm Eye Institute of the Medical University of South Carolina, member of the Lions Eye Research Committee, Chairman of the Lions State Advisory Board, board member and secretary of the South Carolina Eye Bank, board member and president of South Carolina Lions Charitable Services. He was elected to the South Carolina Lions Hall of Fame in 2003. Lion Wood was a Progressive Dr. Franklin G. Mason Fellow, a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, a recipient of the Lions International President’s Leadership Award, the Lions International President’s Medal, and the highest award of Lions Clubs International, The Ambassador of Good Will.
Mr. Wood was an active member of First Baptist Church. He was a member of the Chancel Choir until shortly before his death, a member of the Carpenter Sunday School Class and served on the Diaconate and Stewardship, Missions, Constitution and By-Laws, and Capital Campaign Committees. He was a member of American Legion Post 20 and a founding member and past president of the Greenwood Festival Chorale.
At the age of 87, Mr. Wood fulfilled a lifelong dream when he purchased a 1929 Model A Ford roadster. He greatly enjoyed driving his car around town and being a member of the Old 96 District Model A Ford Club.
Mr. Wood is survived by two daughters and a son, Cheryl Wood McLean, her husband Alexander Torrey McLean, III of Cary, NC; Lori Wood McElroy, her husband Charles Howard McElroy of Johns Creek, GA; and one son, Thomas Alton Wood, Jr., his wife Toni Blonski Wood of Cumming, GA and Shanghai, China. He delighted in and was very proud of his eight grandchildren, Matthew Charles McElroy (Matt), his wife Sarah; Lucas Alexander McElroy (Luke), his wife Tricia; Jenna McElroy Hecht, her husband, Evan; Meredith McLean Roberts, her husband, Andrew; Thomas Alton Wood, III (Trey); Colton Robert Wood; Brandon Adam Wood; Jonathan Patrick Wood (J. P.), and four great-grandchildren, Graham McElroy, Kelsey Roberts, Tyler McElroy, and Carson Roberts.
A private committal service will be conducted at Edgewood Cemetery.
© Blyth Funeral Home | Greenwood, SC
Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont.
He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Jean Olive Wood, who died in 2008.
Born November 11, 1928 in Lincolnton, NC, he was the son of the late Robert Grady and Corrie Eva Beam Wood. He attended public schools of Gastonia, NC, and graduated with honors from North Carolina State College with a BS degree in 1950.
During the Korean War, he served as Cold Weather Clothing and Equipment Officer in the Office of Quartermaster, Eighth US Army in Seoul. Upon discharge as 1st Lt. in June 1955, he joined Burlington Industries in Roanoke, VA. In December 1956 he joined the Chemstrand Division of Monsanto Company in Pensacola, FL, as a process engineer and was transferred to the Greenwood plant in 1960. Prior to moving to St. Louis in 1970, he was active in the Greenwood Lions Club, President of the Community Concert Association, President of the Greenwood Little Theatre, member of the District 50 School Board and received the Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Young Man of the Year presented by the Greenwood Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1963.
While a student at NC State College, Mr. Wood sang with the Raleigh Oratorio Society. He was a tenor soloist and participated with his wife in numerous church choirs and oratorio groups in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, and Missouri. Among his favorite oratorio compositions were Handel’s “Messiah,” Brahms’ “A German Requiem,” and Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.”
Upon his retirement from Monsanto and return to Greenwood in 1992, Mr. Wood was an active member of the Greenwood Lions Club. He served as a board member, club president and co-chaired the first annual Lions Charity Golf Tournament. In March 1997 he took a leadership role in the organizing effort that culminated in the charter of the new Due West Lions Club. In 2007 the Due West Lions Club honored him with the Fred T. Bridges, Jr. Award for outstanding service on behalf of the club.
Lion Wood served Lions District 32-D as District Governor, Chairman of the South Carolina Lions Multiple District 32 Council of Governors, member of the Board of Directors of the Storm Eye Institute of the Medical University of South Carolina, member of the Lions Eye Research Committee, Chairman of the Lions State Advisory Board, board member and secretary of the South Carolina Eye Bank, board member and president of South Carolina Lions Charitable Services. He was elected to the South Carolina Lions Hall of Fame in 2003. Lion Wood was a Progressive Dr. Franklin G. Mason Fellow, a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, a recipient of the Lions International President’s Leadership Award, the Lions International President’s Medal, and the highest award of Lions Clubs International, The Ambassador of Good Will.
Mr. Wood was an active member of First Baptist Church. He was a member of the Chancel Choir until shortly before his death, a member of the Carpenter Sunday School Class and served on the Diaconate and Stewardship, Missions, Constitution and By-Laws, and Capital Campaign Committees. He was a member of American Legion Post 20 and a founding member and past president of the Greenwood Festival Chorale.
At the age of 87, Mr. Wood fulfilled a lifelong dream when he purchased a 1929 Model A Ford roadster. He greatly enjoyed driving his car around town and being a member of the Old 96 District Model A Ford Club.
Mr. Wood is survived by two daughters and a son, Cheryl Wood McLean, her husband Alexander Torrey McLean, III of Cary, NC; Lori Wood McElroy, her husband Charles Howard McElroy of Johns Creek, GA; and one son, Thomas Alton Wood, Jr., his wife Toni Blonski Wood of Cumming, GA and Shanghai, China. He delighted in and was very proud of his eight grandchildren, Matthew Charles McElroy (Matt), his wife Sarah; Lucas Alexander McElroy (Luke), his wife Tricia; Jenna McElroy Hecht, her husband, Evan; Meredith McLean Roberts, her husband, Andrew; Thomas Alton Wood, III (Trey); Colton Robert Wood; Brandon Adam Wood; Jonathan Patrick Wood (J. P.), and four great-grandchildren, Graham McElroy, Kelsey Roberts, Tyler McElroy, and Carson Roberts.
A private committal service will be conducted at Edgewood Cemetery.
© Blyth Funeral Home | Greenwood, SC
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