Gregory Wood's Obituary
Gregory Wood, 73, has passed on September 6th, 2021, to be with his Lord in Heaven. He is survived by his loving wife Terri of 31 years, 5 children: Steven, Scott Keith, Wayne Scott, Lisa, and Tim. As well as 20 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. Also, his 97-year-old father C. James Wood, and 3 siblings; Susan, Stephen, and Jan.
Greg was born on August 10, 1948, in St. Petersburg, FL, at Mound Park Hospital, now named Bayfront Medical Center. As a child he attended Woodlawn Presbyterian Church. Greg graduated from Northeast High School and later attended college.
Just before becoming a teenager, he and his sister Susan helped their father build the addition on their home where their father still lives. Greg always like to build, he would say, he was not very good with woodworking like his dad but give him electronic and he was good.
As a young boy Greg became a Cub Scout, then a Boy Scout, and joined the baseball team, where he and his team later won a city championship.
At 14 years of age, Greg gave his heart to Jesus and was baptized at Woodlawn Presbyterian by Rev. William S McKee. He later became a member of the Suncoast Cathedral on 62nd avenue, where he later brought Terri to services with him, and they would later marry there.
He was always a hard worker. At 16 he had a summer job with his uncle in Ohio, where he saved all his money to buy his first car. This quality never left him.
After graduation he would sometimes stay with his sister Susan when her husband Arthur Wilson was away on duty with US Coast Guard, Air Division. He was with Susan when officers came to her house to notify her that Arthur’s plane had been lost in the Gulf of Mexico with all aboard. Arthur's body was never found. Greg enlisted in the US Coast Guard too, he wanted to do that in honor of Arthur. He wanted to be there if they found his body. Greg was also in the Air Division, flying in C-130's. He was stationed in both Miami and Guam during the Vietnam war. In Guam they flew supplies to the others stationed on various islands in that area during the war. He would talk about some of the runways being very short and often wondering if they were going to make it.
While in Miami, he met Joanne, the woman that he would marry. With Joanne he gained two sons: Steven and Scott Keith. Later that relationship ended, and he became a single dad with full custody of his two boys. This was not an easy chore; one was still in diapers. Greg said he survived it all with God, Mom and Dad, and several babysitters.
Several years later when they boys were older, but still young, he started a business with this father. The name of the business was Computer Interfaces. Greg developed a circuit board interface,
enabling computers in many Hospitals in the US to communicate with commercial printers which used different coding than the computers did. This interface saved the hospitals lots of money, allowing continued use of their existing computers for several years to come.
In 1989 he met Terri, the love of his life at an office supply store where she was assistant manager. He stopped to order a rubber stamp he needed. He kept going back to the office supply store to see her, and after having many conversations, they both found they had a lot in common. Later they both felt God put them together and through their life together shared that thought with many. One year later, on July 30, 1990, they were married at Suncoast Cathedral, blending their two families into one. Terri brought a son Wayne “Scott” which they called Big Scott to separate his Scott from her Scott, a daughter Lisa which wrapped Greg around her little finger...to a point, and a foster son Tim. Greg brought Steven and Scott Keith. Greg taught them by example, the golden rule, how he should treat his wife, how to treat children, and being a God loving man first. He treated all their children as his own, which they all adored him for and will miss their dad greatly. Greg and Terry loved each other as life itself, but always putting God first. He also practiced how a Christian is always kind and giving of self to others. He practiced the golden rule very well.
Greg worked at Bayfront Medical in the Bio-medical Department and later the IT Department. Terri and Greg did many things together, never even one night apart. Too soon he started having too many issues with his back, which continued to worsen over the years. He became disabled and could no longer work and didn't socialize much either. To help him over this they rescued Remy, a little white fluffy Bichon, he was Greg's best friend. Remy helped get Greg out of the house again to socialize, allowing him to meet lots of neighbors, making good new friends. Some years later, Remy was diagnosed with cancer, had surgery, and all seemed well. But Remy was stung by a bee hiding in the grass. He had a reaction, suffered a mini stoke, and was never the same. Remy's health declined and Greg and Terri heartbroken let him pass. This was very hard on both, more so on Greg, he took two years to stop sobbing when he looked at Remy's picture which he kept on his desk.
Greg was a God loving man, just one of the many traits Terri had asked God for. He was a loving family man, a good friend, and a man of integrity with a great moral compass. He gave gladly of himself to others and was adored by many. He loved making new friends, smiling, and waving to his neighbors as they drove by in our community. He would comment to Terri, “you know, that person didn't used to smile at me when I waved to them as they passed”. Then he would say to her, “but they do now, so glad I could help put a smile on their face, hope it makes their day better!” He talked to many about Jesus, wanting to help them onto the right path if they weren't already. If they were, they would share the word together.
His health was not good for many years. He could no longer get out to see all his friends including those with fur babies. But they would continue to ask Terri about him. When they did, Terri would tell him they asked about him, it always put a smile on his face. Greg's health continued to get worse, some things the doctors couldn't seem to determine the cause to be able to treat the issue. When the COVID or SARS2 vaccine came out they both did the research and decided it best to get it, choosing the Moderna one. However, there was a delay in getting it due to some of his medical conditions. He was scheduled to get it the day he was admitted to the hospital for fever and low oxygen issues which had just started that morning, Sunday August 22. He was taken to the ER, where he tested positive, and was admitted early the next morning. He went downhill quickly; he was too weak to battle a severe case of COVID.
Greg is with the Lord Jesus now, no more pain and no more tears. He gave his heart to Jesus, that alone is how he got there, and will get all of us left here now there too if we have done the same! We will miss him and today we celebrate his life. See you in Heaven Greg!
What’s your fondest memory of Gregory?
What’s a lesson you learned from Gregory?
Share a story where Gregory's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Gregory you’ll never forget.
How did Gregory make you smile?