Kenneth Charles Wood

KENNETH CHARLES WOOD, age 69, left us on Monday, November 6, surrounded by the friends and family that loved him dearly. He has joined his brothers, parents, and fallen comrades at the feet of our Heavenly Father.

Ken was born March 6, 1948 in Robbins, NC, the second of 5 children born to Hughene Charles and Ruth Elizabeth Stack Wood.  He grew up in High Point and left home at the age of 17 to begin his Army career, a move that would forever guide the rest of his life.

Ken married Patricia Seamon Wood on July 12, 1975 and gained not only a best friend, but a complete family, including three children and a “fuzzy kid. “ Ken would prove to be a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, mentor, advocate and good friend to all.

After 20 years of a successful military career, Ken retired and began a journey into a variety of second careers.  He was a NC Real Estate Broker in charge, first working as a sales agent for Jarrett Realty, and later opening his own small “mom and pop” real estate company, Kenwood Realty. 

He received welding and machinist degrees from GTCC and worked as a tool and die maker for Tyco Electronics.  When Tyco downsized and outsourced their production, being laid off was an opportunity to begin yet another career pursuing his desire to drive a truck.  The last four years he worked for A. M. Haire, delivering trucks all around the US.  He would often use these trips as an opportunity to “look up” an old friend or comrade.  Ken never met a stranger, and never passed up an opportunity to speak to another veteran.

Ken was especially passionate about his friends and comrades that belonged to the 919th Combat Engineers, the only Armored Engineer unit in Vietnam.

Through his leadership, he was instrumental in continuing the tradition of annual reunions and maintaining camaraderie within this organization. We are fortunate that many of his friends from the 919th were able to visit and reach out to the family, prior to his death.

Surviving are his wife, Pat of the home; daughters Julie (Roger) Carroll of Lexington, Tami (David) Williams of High Point; and son Tom (Jennifer) Wood of Rutherford College.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren – Geoffrey Davis, Justin Wood, Alex Williams, Nikolas Grochowski, Ryan Williams, Rachel Wood, and Abby Wood; and two great-grandchildren, Halleigh Clodfelter and Ayden Davis. He is also survived by two sisters, Vickie (Steve) Harvell, and Carolyn (Ronnie) Maynard.  His extended family includes a host of nieces, nephews and cousins whom he loved very, very much. Ken also leaves behind two furry kids, Calleigh and Roscoe, who will miss him very much.

Visitation will be Thursday evening, November 9th, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Cumby Funeral Home, 1015 Eastchester Drive, High Point.  The Funeral will be on Friday, November 10th,  2 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, where he was a faithful member for many years.  Interment will be at Floral Garden Cemetery in High Point following the service.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to his medical and care team over the last few months, including Cone Cancer Center, Wesley Long Hospital, Kindred Home Health, and Hospice of the Triad.  This difficult journey was made easier with their help.

Ken had a passion for all things military.  He also loved his church and church family passionately.  In lieu of flowers, he would be honored for donations/memorials to be sent in his memory to the Fisher House Foundation (111 Rockville Pike, Ste 420, Rockville, MD 20850) or to the “Pay it Forward” fund of Grace Lutheran Church 115 Unity St, Thomasville NC   27360.

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