Obituary for Shelton Eugene Wood Print Shelton Eugene “Gene” Wood, 80, of Spring Hill, Florida and formerly of San Mateo, passed from this life on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at HPH Hospice in Spring Hill. Born in Douglas, Georgia to Shelton Wood and Mae Pheil Wood, he moved to Putnam County in 1944. Gene served courageously in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War where he was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for exceptionally heroic service in combat (multiple awards) and the Purple Heart for wounded in combat (multiple awards).
He retired from the Army as Lieutenant Colonel following 21 years of faithful service. Following his military career, he continued his ability as a leader as President of S.E. Wood and Associates, Inc., a management and consulting firm. Gene was thoroughly involved in the community having been a lay leader in St. James United Methodist Church in Palatka where he also served on the Board of Trustees and Administrative Board of the church.
He was also a certified Advance Lay Speaker with the United Methodist Church. He served as Area 22 Governor of District 27 of the International Toastmasters, served on the Board of Directors of Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 56 in Palatka, the Kiwanis Club of Palatka, the Northeast Florida American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, Putnam County, the Northeast Florida Private Industry Council where he also served as Chairman of the Public Relations Committee and was on the Executive Committee, the Advisory Board of the St. Augustine Technical Center, was chairman of new clubs and division coordinator with the Florida District of Kiwanis, Scout Coordinator with the St. Johns District of Boy Scouts of America, board of directors and vice-president of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Governor’s Long-Term Care Board, District III, the Putnam County Superintendent of Schools Advisory Committee, a member of the Governor’s Steering Committee, Northeast Florida Project Independent and the District Council on Ministries, United Methodist Church, Florida. Gene later became pastor of the Wesleyan Church in Orange Park and then at the Wesleyan Church in Spring Hill.
He also served as Assistant Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church for 10 years. As the holder of two doctorate degrees, Gene never lost his passion to teach and loved time spent teaching men and women how to prepare for the ministry. He also never lost his desire to be involved in community service and upon moving to the Pasco / Hernando area, became a dedicated member of Rotary Club of New Tampa where he was named Rotarian of the Year and was the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award, the highest award in Rotary International.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, John Shelton Wood. Gene is survived by his wife, E. Louise Wood of Spring Hill, a daughter, Deirdre Louise Smith of Spring Hill, 2 sisters, Bonnie Ward of Port Orange and Linda Robinson of Jacksonville, 2 grandchildren, Randy and Zane of GA and 9 great-grandchildren. Services will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka with Pastor Derek Atkinson officiating.
Entombment will follow at Palatka Memorial Gardens with full military honors rendered by the U.S. Army, Ft. Stewart, GA. The family will receive friends Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00 A.M. Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Gene’s Book of Memories Page at www.
johnsonoverturffunerals.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka. To send flowers to the family of Shelton Eugene Wood, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
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