Edwin Marion Wood, Jr.

Edwin Marion Wood, Jr., 85, died Sunday, June 12, 2016 at his home on the 11th hole of Royal Lakes Golf Course surrounded by his family after a brave battle with cancer. 

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia (Derrick) Wood; four daughters: Cathy Thornhill (Van), Betsy Kilgore (Jery), Laura Estep (Mike), Heather Stancil (Scotty), his son Frank Wood (Terry); 8 grandchildren: Amy Cochran, Will Thornhill, Sarah Hobbs, Derrick Kilgore, Nick Estep, Drew Estep, Dylan Stancil, Tristan Stancil; 9 great grandchildren: Abby & Kate Cochran, Haley & J.C. Kilgore, Savannah and Grant Hobbs, Blake and Justice Estep, and Caleb Estep; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was pre-deceased by his parents Edwin Marion Wood, Sr. and Evelyn Eugenia Crow Wood, his sister Oma Jean Wood Larios and one grandson. 

An avid golfer, he was a longtime member of Royal Lakes Golf where he was a founding member of The Sunshine Boys, a neighborhood group of golfers with whom he played several times a week for many years. During his lifetime, he scored 4 holes-in-one! 

Born in Cornelia, GA and raised in Clayton, GA, he and his wife Pat were life-long companions.  They grew up living next door to each other and were together since he was 3 years old and she was 2. He was educated at Rabun Co. High School, GA Military Academy, and Georgia Tech. 

After college and then working with the family business in Clayton, he began a long career in 1955 with Johnson & Johnson’s Chicopee Corp. – Lumite Division in Cornelia GA. After 3 years working his way up, he was transferred to Buford, GA to become the plant manager of Chicopee at the young age of 30 and led operations there for 16 years.  During his tenure in Buford, he was active in the community, serving as a member of the School Board for Buford City Schools for 7 years and as president of Buford Kiwanis Club in 1968. 

Upon the closing of the Buford plant in 1976, Chicopee transferred him to Cornelia, and later Gainesville, to manage operations at those plants. Ed retired from Chicopee in 1992 upon the sale of the company to Synthetic Industries.  He was hired by the new owners for a 5-year mission to foster a smooth transition.  After successful completion, he finally really retired in 1997. 

Over the last 23 years, he and Pat have lived a blessed life in Royal Lakes enjoying their many friends, being Do-Daddy and Grandma to all the young ones, traveling, playing golf, and relishing happy lives well-lived.    

Visitation will be Monday, June 13, 5 pm to 8 pm, at Memorial Park South, Falcon Pwky., in Flowery Branch. The memorial service is Tuesday, June 14 at 2 pm at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Oakwood where he was a member and service reader at their beloved church. The service will be officiated by St. Gabriel’s clergy. 

As Ed vowed to never wear a tie again after retirement, he requested that those attending the visitation and/or service wear golf or casual attire. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 2920 Landrum Education Dr., Oakwood, GA 30566 or South Hall Community Food Pantry at PO Box 671, Oakwood, GA  30566-0012. 

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia  30542 is in charge of arrangements.  Send on-line condolences towww.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.