Mr. Clarence M. Wood, 89, passed away June 12, 2015. He is predeceased by his wife Virginia A. Wood and is survived by his son Brett Wood, daughter, Bridget Wood and son Lance Wood and wife Angela and their two children. Mr. Wood was born February 9, 1926 in Jacksonville, Florida and spent his working life based there. He graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1944 and entered the military where he was then recruited into the GT Cable Branch Intelligence at the Pentagon. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1948 and graduated from the University of Florida School of Law in 1951 and began a diverse and inspiring career in the field that would span 60 years. In 1955 he served as senior attorney for Senator Fletcher Morgan. By 1957 having served two years in the Duval County solicitors office (now known as the District Attorney's Office) he entered private practice. He was a member of Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers; Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Jacksonville Bar Association. He maintained a preeminent AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell in his field. Beyond the many achievements in the courtroom and thousands of client settlements he served as a member and past Chairman of the safety commission in 1956 of the Jacksonville Jaycees. In 1964 he served as Chairman of the local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy fund raising drive. He served on the board of Hope Haven Hospital for Children. A gifted entertainer he appeared in the 1953 Beaches Civic Chorus presentation of Rose Marie and played roles in Little Theatre productions including Stalag 17. Along the way he became a private pilot, was an avid musician, golfer and loved a good poker game among friends He was a champion of all creatures great and small and continues through charitable organizations and directly to support worthy causes. As an expression of sympathy, the family requests contributions be made to Volunteers in Medicine, 41 East Duval St., Jacksonville, FL. 32202 or Orbis, 520, 8th Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY, 10018. The family will receive friends Saturday, June 20, 2015, from 3 until 6 pm at the HYATT REGENCY JACKSONVILLE in the River Terrace 3. Arrangements entrusted to Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Blvd., Jacksonville, 32211, (904) 744-8422. Please sign the guest book at www.corey-kerlin.com.
Published in the Florida Times-Union from June 18 to June 19, 2015