Gerald Wood

Gerald Elliot Wood, D.D.S. died April 5, 2009 at home in Hot Springs Village after a long and heroic battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born November 12, 1936 to the late Otto and Frances Wood in Navasota, Texas. He spent his growing-up years in Artesia, New Mexico before moving to Stephenville, Texas. He graduated from high school in Stephenville, attended the University of North Texas and later received his B.S. Degree. He was a member of the Sigma PHI Epsilon Fraternity. He was accepted at Baylor University College of Dentistry where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree in 1962. He practiced many years in Colorado Springs, CO. In 1979 he and his new wife went to Saudi Arabia for five years, working for Arabian American Oil Company. Gerald spent his last five professional years practicing in Hot Springs Village. He retired in 1998 Gerald was an avid fly fisherman and an avid tennis player. He always enjoyed the outdoors. Gerald was an elder and active member of Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines. serving as moderator of the Missions Committee, a cause he loved. His parents preceded Gerald in death, a brother-Barry (friend and fly fishing companion), a daughter Danna, whose death he never fully recovered from. Survivors include his wonderful and loving wife of 30 years, Mary Anne; his son Philip; sister Janice Higgs; sisters-in-law Ann Wood, Sara Clutter and brother-in law John McDougal. He is also survived by four stepchildren, Annie Hooten (Ed), Tom Baker (Debbie), Tracy Baker M.D. (Jackie) and Judge Tim Baker (Cynthia) and by six wonderful step-grandchildren. Our thanks go out to Dr. James Humphreys for his astute and early diagnosis, his compassion and caring ways; to Carti, to Dr. Diane Wilder for her compassion and empathetic personality. She tried as hard as she could to maintain a lifestyle for Gerald and she did for as long as possible. A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 11, 2009 at the Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas with Rev. Bill Bailey and Rev. Don Trent officiating. There will be a private family interment service. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully request memorials be made to The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, N.Y. 11714 or to the Memorial Fund of the Kirk in the Pines. Arrangements are under the direction of CedarVale Funeral Home, 200 Minorca, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

Gerald Wood

November 12, 1936 - April 5, 2009