Roll Call Tribute
Gregory "Woody" Wood '69 February 7, 2019 3:23 PM updated: February 18, 2019 1:04 PM
Published in The Seattle (WA) Times on Feb. 17, 2019
Gregory Laurence Wood Captain USNR(1947 - 2019)
Gregory Laurence Wood, Captain USNR
Gregory passed away at 2:20 pm,
Monday, February 4, 2019, In Bothell, WA. His brother Bruce and sister-in-law Kathy were at his bedside. He was 71 years old.
Greg (or, "Woodsy", as he was known to many of his friends) was born in Kearny, NJ on May 28, 1947, to his parents Robert and Marion Wood. He grew up in Hillsdale, NJ and attended Pascack Valley High School where he was an elite track athlete. At one point in his senior year, he held the record for the fastest time in Bergen County for the quarter mile race. Upon completing high school, he enrolled at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. While there, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and graduated in 1969 with a Business Degree, majoring in marketing. Following his life-long interest in aviation, Greg then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, completing his officer and initial navigator training in Pensacola, FL and Bombardier/Navigator training in the A-6 "Intruder" at NAS Whidbey Island, WA.
Woodsy was then assigned to Attack Squadron Fifty-Two (VA-52), Carrier Air Wing 11, and embarked on USS Kitty Hawk. Originally scheduled for deployment to SE Asia in late April 1972, the ship was deployed a month early in response to increased threat activity by North Viet Nam. Soon the air wing found itself involved in intensive combat operations over the North and Greg participated in many of the offensive strikes. For his courageous participation, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, individual Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medals and other decorations while logging over 200 carrier landings, many at night. Upon returning from deployment Greg was discharged from active duty in November 1973, but remained active in the Navy Reserves, retiring as a Captain.
After active duty Greg returned to his roots on the east coast, but after a couple of years in the textile industry he decided to return to the northwest, which he had grown to love while in the Navy. He lived in the Seattle area for the remainder of his life, pursuing a career in aviation-industry sales through Skye Tek, the company he owned and operated. Among his favorite pastimes was playing golf with his Navy and other buddies, enjoying recounting his war experiences and observing how much more heroic everyone seemed to become as time went on! A loyal friend to everyone, including an extensive group of close friends, he was loved by all. He leaves his loved ones with many cherished memories and he will be sorely missed.
Captain Wood is survived by his brother Bruce and his wife Kathy, their four daughters Kelly, Lauren, Megan and Jessica, six grandnieces and two grandnephews. In addition, he is survived by two sisters, Beverly Wood and Hilary Wood.
As per Greg's request his remains will be cremated and interred at Tahoma National Cemetery at a date yet to be determined.
Gregory Laurence Wood Captain USNR(1947 - 2019)
Gregory Laurence Wood, Captain USNR
Gregory passed away at 2:20 pm,
Monday, February 4, 2019, In Bothell, WA. His brother Bruce and sister-in-law Kathy were at his bedside. He was 71 years old.
Greg (or, "Woodsy", as he was known to many of his friends) was born in Kearny, NJ on May 28, 1947, to his parents Robert and Marion Wood. He grew up in Hillsdale, NJ and attended Pascack Valley High School where he was an elite track athlete. At one point in his senior year, he held the record for the fastest time in Bergen County for the quarter mile race. Upon completing high school, he enrolled at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. While there, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and graduated in 1969 with a Business Degree, majoring in marketing. Following his life-long interest in aviation, Greg then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, completing his officer and initial navigator training in Pensacola, FL and Bombardier/Navigator training in the A-6 "Intruder" at NAS Whidbey Island, WA.
Woodsy was then assigned to Attack Squadron Fifty-Two (VA-52), Carrier Air Wing 11, and embarked on USS Kitty Hawk. Originally scheduled for deployment to SE Asia in late April 1972, the ship was deployed a month early in response to increased threat activity by North Viet Nam. Soon the air wing found itself involved in intensive combat operations over the North and Greg participated in many of the offensive strikes. For his courageous participation, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, individual Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medals and other decorations while logging over 200 carrier landings, many at night. Upon returning from deployment Greg was discharged from active duty in November 1973, but remained active in the Navy Reserves, retiring as a Captain.
After active duty Greg returned to his roots on the east coast, but after a couple of years in the textile industry he decided to return to the northwest, which he had grown to love while in the Navy. He lived in the Seattle area for the remainder of his life, pursuing a career in aviation-industry sales through Skye Tek, the company he owned and operated. Among his favorite pastimes was playing golf with his Navy and other buddies, enjoying recounting his war experiences and observing how much more heroic everyone seemed to become as time went on! A loyal friend to everyone, including an extensive group of close friends, he was loved by all. He leaves his loved ones with many cherished memories and he will be sorely missed.
Captain Wood is survived by his brother Bruce and his wife Kathy, their four daughters Kelly, Lauren, Megan and Jessica, six grandnieces and two grandnephews. In addition, he is survived by two sisters, Beverly Wood and Hilary Wood.
As per Greg's request his remains will be cremated and interred at Tahoma National Cemetery at a date yet to be determined.
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