Richard Wood

Richard Glee Wood February 21, 1931 to May 10, 2012 Richard Glee Wood, passed away on May 10, 2012 after failing to recover from heart surgery. Richard was born in Mt. Vernon, Illinois on February 21, 1931 to Kenneth Glee and Stella Florence Wood. Richard graduated from Mt. Vernon Township High School in 1949, Baylor University with his B.A. in business and religion, from Texas Technological University with his M.B.A. in finance, and from Texas A&M University with his Ph.D. in higher education finance administration. Over his 81 years, he worked at many endeavors. Richard was a partner In L.S. Wood Printing Company, a senior salesman for the Burroughs Corporation and NCR, a salesman for Republic National Life, and an owner of a travel agency. He taught at South Plains College, Sul Ross State University, Campsville College, American Technology College, Troy State University Overseas Program, Gardner Webb College, Beirut University College, The American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and Baylor University. He was an administrator at Howard Payne University, Grand Canyon College, and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. He worked as a consultant to several public and charter schools in Texas. His most recent work involved securing over 15 patents for Advance Payment Systems, Secured Scripts, and Access Security Protection. Over the years, Richard was a member of the Toastmasters Club and Rotary International. He served as an Electoral College Nominee. He was a deacon and licensed minister in the Southern Baptist Church and a Stephen Minister in the United Methodist Church. Most recently he was proud to have been accepted as a Son of the American Revolution. His greatest hobbies were traveling, playing the domino game "42", and spending time at McDonalds. His travels led him to live in England, Italy, Turkey, and Lebanon. He traveled to all 50 states and to over 40 countries some of which included leading student travel groups. He loved to play the domino game "42" and would have done that every night of the week if he could have found people to play by his rules. He blessed the employees of McDonalds with his presence at least once a day everyday for the last 16 years. Richard loved to tell stories of his adventures and believed himself to be an expert in political, government, and economic issues. Richard was a man of generous heart and low tolerance of imperfection. He was quick to make judgments and slow to see his own weaknesses. He was honest, did business with a hand shake, and expected the world to be the same. He believed education was the solution to most, if not all, of the world's problems and supported programs to strength youth and families. Richard is survived by his wife of 35 years, Taunya Wood of Houston, Texas, his brother, Robert Dean Wood of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, his daughters, Christine Wood of Tomball, Texas, M'Lane Ellis of Crossplains, Texas, Brenda Wood of Florida, and his son, Don Wood of Florida. Richard has six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A celebration of Richard's life will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at 1 p.m. at Klein United Methodist Church, 5920 FM 2920 Road, Spring, Texas 77388. A reception will follow in the Christian Life Center. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Richard's strong conviction of the importance of programs for youth, memorials may be made to the Youth Fund at Klein United Methodist Church, 5920 FM 2920 Road, Spring, Texas 77388.