Roll Call Tribute

Published in Houston Chronicle from March 9 to March 10, 2013

Jacob Woo
SSG Jacob Henry Woo How does one begin to write about such a fine young man? How does one reduce to words the love and affection this single, solitary soul brought into this world? Jacob Henry Woo lived just shy of 28 years, but in that time, Jacob truly lived. He met and married the love of his life, whom he cherished and cared for with compassion. He served his country to protect us all on foreign soil. He was a devoted husband, son, and brother. He enjoyed life and wanted everyone to share in his joy.
Jacob Henry Woo was born on May 21, 1985, and lit up the room as he did for the rest of his days. He grew up in Katy, Texas and attended Texas A&M where he met his beloved wife. In 2006, Jake enlisted in the U.S. Army as a tanker. While serving two tours in Iraq, his natural leadership qualities led to several rapid promotions to his current rank of Staff Sergeant. Jake recently started a new position within the Contracting Program at Fort Jackson, in Columbia, South Carolina, having been chosen from several hundred applicants.
Before his first deployment, Jake and Lindsey were married on February 3, 2007 and they shared six wonderful years of happiness and true love. Jacob Henry Woo left this earth on March 2, 2013. Jake leaves behind his wife, Lindsey Knowles Woo, his mother and step-father, Stacey and Bill Talbert, and his father and step-mother, David and Suzi Woo. He is also survived by his brothers, Zach Woo, and Nathan Talbert; sisters, Carrie Woo, Kate Talbert, Hilary Bowerman, and Shelby Poole. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, the Reverend Thomas Woo, and is survived by grandparents, Anne Woo, and Clayton and Elsie Salter. His extended family on Lindsey's side include parents, Katherine Knowles, Mark and Betsy Knowles; grandparents, Don and Dolly Joseph, Billy and Judy Knowles, and Patricia Allday; siblings, Justin and Andi Knowles, Jackson and Stephanie Dashiell, Caroline and David Higgins, and Kellie Dashiell. Jake will be sorely missed by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces on both sides of his family.
A military memorial was held at Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina on Thursday, March 7, 2013. Funeral services will be held at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, on Monday, March 11, 2013 at 12:30 p.m. Honorary pallbearers will be Zach Woo, Hudson Woo, Austin Woo, Nathan Talbert, Justin Knowles, and Captain Jackson Dashiell.
For those desiring, charitable donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Yellow Ribbon fund in memory of SSG Jacob Henry Woo.
Arrangements entrusted to Veterans Funeral Services (281) 272-9900
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Published in Dallas Morning New (on) March 8, 2013

Staff Sgt. Jacob Henry Woo, son of Dallas News photographer, dies in car crash

By JOE SIMNACHER JOE SIMNACHER
Staff Writer
jsimnacher@dallasnews.com
Published: 08 March 2013 11:15 PM

Army Staff Sgt. Jacob Henry “Jake” Woo wanted to serve his country, which he did during two combat tours in Iraq.

Last fall he was selected to be an Army liaison to civilian contractors for projects around the world. It was a step in what was to be a promising career in the military.

Woo, 27, died March 2 in a one-car accident in Columbia, S.C.

A memorial service was Thursday at Fort Jackson, S.C., where he was stationed.

Services with military honors will be at 12:30 p.m. Monday at Houston National Cemetery. A horse-drawn procession to the graveside service will begin at 12:15 p.m. Monday at Veterans Services Funeral Home, 10567 Veterans Memorial Drive in Houston.

Woo was featured in a 2008 Father’s Day article that his dad, Dallas Morning News staff photographer David Woo, wrote about visiting his son on duty in Iraq.

On Friday, Woo was compiling a slide show for his son’s funeral.

“I have a picture of him when he’s like 6 years old playing on a tank,” Woo said. “He always loved the Army. He was all about serving the country.”

Jake Woo was a smart and athletic man, his father said.

“It’s just a tragic loss for everybody,” Woo said. “He was so young. … He was going to be 28 on May 21.”

Woo was born in Dallas and grew up in Katy, where he played high school football.

He attended Texas A&M University, where he met his wife to be, Lindsey Knowles.

Woo joined the Army in 2006. He was deployed to Iraq not long after he and Lindsey married on Feb. 3, 2007.

He served with a tank division for 15 months of combat duty in Iraq. He was then assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, for a year before being redeployed for additional combat in Iraq.

Woo had been based at Fort Jackson, since he completed his second tour of duty.

In addition to his wife and father, Woo is survived by his mother and stepfather, Stacey and Bill Talbert of Houston; his stepmother, Suzi Woo of Arlington; two brothers, Zach Woo of Houston and Nathan Talbert of Tyler; four sisters, Carrie Woo of Houston, Kate Talbert of Houston, Hilary Bowerman of Aledo and Shelby Poole of Fort Worth; his grandparents, Anne Woo of Port Arthur, and Clayton and Elsie Salter of Port Arthur.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Yellow Ribbon Fund Inc.