Charles Wood

Born in Beeville, TX on January 13, 1923 to Thaddeus Jefferson Wood and Floy Mae Wood, Charles Edward Wood entered his heavenly home, on December 18, 20 14, surrounded by his family and friends.\r\n\r\nCharles left high school early to join the US Army Air Corps. He initially went to Camp Hulen in Palacios, TX as a firefighter, having been a volunteer firefighter in Beeville, TX since about the age of 16. He remained active throughout the years with the Beeville VFD, attending many conventions and training sessions. After leaving Camp Hulen, he joined the Active Air Force Enlisted Reserve. He was sent to Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, KS for training in the Air Force Cadet Program. Eventually, he was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 860th Squadron, 493rd Bomb Group (H) and was then sent to Debach Airfield, Ipswich, England. He became a tail gunner, first on the B-24 and later on the B-17, and as part of Helton's Hellcats, he flew his first mission on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He and his crew completed 35 missions over Germany and France without losing a single member. These missions earned him the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and EAME Campaign Medal with 5 Bronze Stars. Upon returning to the States, Charles was sent to Laredo Army Air Base to train as a gunnery instructor. He was then assigned to a training school in Las Vegas, NV. He later joined the 8th Air Force Historical Society and attended many of their reunions, both stateside and abroad. He donated his old uniform and some other memorabilia to a museum that was opened on the site of the old control tower at Debach Airfield, where they are currently on display.\r\n\r\nUpon leaving the service in 1945, he married the love of his life, Shirley Marie (Doty) Wood, who survives. He passed just 12 days short of their 69th anniversary. He went to work as a surveyor for United Gas Corporation, which was later bought out by Pennzoil. In the mid-1980s, he retired as the Assistant District Purchasing Agent for Pennzoil in Corpus Christi. He was active in American Legion Post #364, holding the title of Past Commander. He and Shirley retired to Kerrville in 1986, where she still resides. In 2002, he and others from his high school class of 1941 were awarded their diplomas by the current graduating class during their commencement ceremonies at A.C. Jones High School in Beeville, TX.\r\n\r\nIn addition to his wife Shirley, Charles is also survived by two daughters, Diana Wood of Kerrville, Linda Phillips of San Antonio, two grandchildren, Jason Phillips of Killeen and Ashley Yarbrough of Corpus Christi and several great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as numerous friends.\r\n\r\nThe family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Sterling House, Hilltop Nursing and Peterson Regional Medical Center for their care and attention to Charles. He will be sorely missed by many.\r\n\r\nServices will be held at Grimes Funeral Chapels on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 1:30 in the afternoon.\r\n\r\nThe wishes of the family are that contributions, in Charles' name, be made to the charity of one's choice.\r\n\r\nIsa 40:31 NIV\r\n31 but those who hope in the Lord\r\nwill renew their strength.\r\nThey will soar on wings like eagles;\r\nthey will run and not grow weary,\r\nthey will walk and not be faint.\r\n\r\nCharles is soaring with the eagles once again.\r\n\r\n[contact-form-7 id="73" title="Send Condolences"]