Ryan Wesley Wood, a kind and gentle soul entered the gates of heaven on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the tender age of 16, after a valiant fight with cancer. Friend to all, loved by many touched an unimaginable amount of people the last week of his time on earth. #PrayForRyan became a mantra that permeated the very soul of our community. Ryan was a 10th grade student at West Forsyth High School where he enjoyed playing JV football and hanging out with his best friends; Jake Still, Landon Choplin, Aaron Stamper and a multitude of others. He loved anything with wheels (especially his new Chevy truck from Paw Paw Ray and MaMaw Katie). Ryan loved being outdoors. He enjoyed camping with his family at the beach, riding his dirt bike and fishing with his dad, Uncle Russ and friends. Ryan was preceded in death by his great grandmother, Lucille Wood. He is survived by his mother and father, Caroline and Randy Wood and little sister Maggie, all of Clemmons; his grandparents Ray and Katie Sutcliffe of Winston-Salem; Mary Wood of Winston-Salem and Bobby Wood of Tobaccoville; great grandmother Nell Scott and numerous loving aunts, uncles and cousins. A funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2013 at River Oaks Community Church with Pastor David Beaty and Pastor Sonny Flowers officiating. Burial will follow in Westlawn Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the church. Those interested in honoring Ryan's memory are encouraged to make donations in his name to Brenner's Childrens Hospital, Office of Development and Alumni Events, PO Box 571021, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1021, Hospice and Palliative Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, or Kids of Childhood Cancer, P. O. Box 195, Kernersville, NC 27285-0195. The family would like to thank the entire community for their love and support especially during this last week of his journey. Special thanks to Jake Still, Landon Choplin, Aaron Stamper and many others for the love and energy put behind the #PrayForRyan efforts. While the miracle we all prayed for was not answered; many miracles did occur in the lives of those he left. Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel is serving the family.