“I trust in the Lord and into
Thy hand I commit my spirit:
Psalm 31:5-6
What my brother and I know and remember about our dad.
He was born Feb. 2, 1925, in Colfax, Wash. to Harold W. and Florence (Allen) Wood. He had a younger sister, Irene; all have preceded him to eternity. Reginald passed away on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, in Mount Vernon.
Dad won a baby contest when he was one year new, 80 years later under “100 years ago today” in the Whitman Gazette he learned his dad had won the same contest 20 years before him.
Dad didn’t talk about growing up in depressed times. However he did say that he once asked his dad for a penny to buy a candy. His father turned his pockets inside out and said, “I’m sorry son but I don’t have a penny to give you right now!”
We know Dad was a marble champion in grade school. Gramma used to say that he would “come home with all the marbles.”
Dad averaged two strike outs per inning as a pitcher in high school. His advice to young pitchers: “Forget the curve ball, control the fast ball; high and inside, low and inside.” Dad was drafted into military service and left for flight training in the Army Air Corps, upon high school graduation. He became commander of a B-24 and pilot of a B-29, getting his wings in September 1945. His squadron was ready for deployment when World War II ended.
He married Elizabeth “Becky” Hayfield while on leave, Dec. 31, 1944. Dad always said that the best thing that ever happened to him was meeting our mom and we believe that.
Mom and dad moved to Pullman where dad took over a business running coin operated washing machines on the WSC campus.
Dad got two-and-a-half years college credit from his Air Corps training and graduated with a business degree at WSC in 1948. One of dad’s buddies was in the admission line with him at WSC. He was quoted as saying “Wow, I thought you were going to graduate before you even got started.”
As brothers, we were raised in Pullman. Life was rather uncomplicated there. How we relished growing up in a small town.
Our parents were successful in real estate. When dad was 49, they retired and moved to beautiful Oak Harbor, to be closer to their kids and grand kids.
Mom and Dad loved Whidbey Island, clean fresh air, soaring eagles and their ever-changing view of Mount Baker and the Saratoga Passage. We know Dad loved the “sound of freedom” as the jets from Whidbey Naval Air Station would frequently roar by.
Dad is survived by our mom, Becky Wood; two sons, Rand and his wife Suzanne Wood, Hal and his wife Heather Wood; three grandchildren, Rachelle and her husband Erik Eide, Steve R. and his wife Kim Wood and Carrie and her husband Mike Norton. Mom and Dad also have seven great-grandchildren, Brandon, age 17, twins Kya, age 13 and Synnova, age 13, Hunter, age 11, Olivia, age 8, Maggie, age 8 and Zach, age 2. All their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren live in Mount Vernon or the surrounding area.
As we put our father to rest, we hear Frank Sinatra’s refrain, “And now the end is here my friend I’ll say it clear, I’ve lived a life that’s full, I did it my way.”
We love you Dad and we will be reminded of you often as you dwell in our hearts forever …
Rand and Hal Wood
Memorials may be given to the Polio Foundation in Reginald H. Wood’s name, C/O the United Way of Skagit County.
Reginald was laid to rest at the Mount Vernon Cemetery during a family graveside gathering. Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.
