Corwin ‘Woody’ Wood
Corwin A. (CA) Wood, “Woody” to many, died May 2, 2021, at the age of 98, in Rockwall, Texas. He was the last surviving member of the Nathan and Lillie Wood family of Holyoke.
Woody was born Aug. 28, 1922, in the dusty wheat fields of eastern Colorado. During the Great Depression, growing up on an isolated farm instilled ingenuity and resourcefulness that led to Woody’s creative ability to build or fix just about anything. Woody graduated from Holyoke High School, where he excelled academically and as a gifted athlete in all sports.
Woody heard our country’s war call and was selected for specialized training at University of North Dakota to study electrical engineering. As a member of the Army Air Corps (Air Force) his wartime assignment was spent in Boca Raton, Florida, working/training soldiers with the early systems of radar. The development of this growing technology was a great fit for Woody, which led him to the startup and multiple positions in his 36-year career at the School of Electronics, Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi.
Woody loved a project — designing, building, tinkering, repairing — nothing too large or small. From building his Gulfport, Mississippi, home, to digging wells for friends to water their yards, to overhauling boat motors or to repairing hot rollers for his daughters’ friends, he enjoyed the success of completion! When not fixing something, he could be found fishing, yardworking, ballgame watching, crossword puzzling, bridge playing, dancing or propped in his easy chair, feet crossed, napping!
He and his wife, Dola, enjoyed spending time with friends traveling, playing bridge, celebrating birthdays in The Birthday Club, dancing in Silhouettes or fishing around the islands.
Their travels took them coast to coast across the U.S., Hawaii, Canada and Mexico visiting many beautiful national parks. Once retired, with their daughter Teresa, their travel extended out of North America as they made numerous trips driving throughout Europe and cruising the Greek Isles.
Woody ended his time with all of us “feeling wonderful”! We will miss him every day and are grateful for all he gave and taught many, many people about embracing each day with a positive smile, facing each day’s challenge with a can-do spirit and always being willing to help his neighbor.
A note from his niece Joni is a perfect tribute to him:
“My Uncle Corwin ... Sweet, gentle, tender and loving would never fully describe the nature of his soul. I never heard a negative word fall from his lips to my ears. Calm, dedicated, loving and never afraid to show his love, you always felt loved in his presence. Strong in character and in strength. A zest for life and all it had to offer. Now it is his turn to feel the loving embrace of all those in heaven, especially Aunt Dola. I pray he will continue to surround us with his love.”
He was predeceased by his wife, Dola; and siblings, Virgil, Marlin, Carmen, Russell, Fern, Dale, Norma and Lila.
Left to treasure his gift of love are his two daughters, Teresa E. Wood of Rockwall and Mary Ann Puckett and “secondhand son” Gary Puckett of Charlotte, North Carolina; numerous nieces and nephews; and his many other kids — you know who you are.
A family burial service was conducted at Floral Hills Cemetery in Gulfport. A memorial gathering to celebrate Woody’s life will be held at a later date.
In memory of Woody, help your neighbor and give an extra hand and listening ears when needed and selflessly offer your time. In honor of his hours and attention to his yard and garden, plant a tree or feed the birds!