Laurice Eugene Wood Jr., son of Laurice Eugene Wood and Irene Birkhead Wood, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Apri, 2013. He was born on January 21, 1941, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Gene is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Anne; and three sons, Greg and his partner, Hussein Latif, Jeff and his wife, Kim, and Kent, all of whom loved him very much. He will always be Pa Gene to his three grandchildren, Elle, Bess and Jack, a great blessing. His sister, Amelia Wood Bennett and her husband, Basil Bennett, and their three children, Ashley, Lucas and Catherine, also survive him; as well as other special family members.
Gene was a 1963 graduate of the Pamplin School of Business at Virginia Tech, a trumpeter in the HightyTighties and a proud Hokie. A true patriot, Marine Captain Wood proudly served his country in Vietnam.
After working for Caterpillar dealer Virginia Tractor in Richmond and Waynesboro, Gene founded L. E. Wood Equipment Company in 1981. For over 40 years, he was an active member at First Presbyterian Church in Waynesboro, serving as a Deacon, Elder and Trustee. Gene was active in the community, serving on the Augusta County Planning Commission for over 17 years, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, YMCA and Free Clinic, among others. He was tender, warm, kind and always open and generous in his expressions of affection. Gene never knew a stranger.
A graveside service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, Cismont, Virginia, Saturday, April 13, 2013, at 9 a.m. The celebration of Gene's life will follow at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Waynesboro. The Reverend Merle Fisher will officiate.
The family welcomes friends at the home any time and at the church after the service.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Waynesboro YMCA or Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45205-0301. Those wishing to share their memories with the family online may do so at www.mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com. McDow Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Published in the Daily Progress on April 11, 2013
