Harry Payne Wood, Jr.

Harry Payne Wood, Jr., 78, loved life and lived it to the fullest until it was cut short due to an extended illness on Sunday, November 17, 2024. 

Harry was born on October 16, 1946, in Natchez, Mississippi to the late Harry P. Wood, Sr. and Esther M. Bourgeois Wood. He worked and played hard with dedication to our Nation and his family. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in July of 1968, during a perilous time for our country in the middle of the Vietnam War. His second assignment was Bien Hoa, Vietnam, where he witnessed unthinkable trauma and loss, even within his unit. Thankfully, he returned home and was stationed at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Kansas City, Missouri, where he met and soon married Connie J. Gigliotti. Together they navigated assignments from Patrick AFB, Florida, Lakenheath AFB, England, and Robins AFB, Georgia. Harry made sure to take advantage of every assignment by taking his family across Europe to ensure they could experience historical places and beautiful countries, all while making lifelong friends. He enjoyed exploring and had a real passion for history and geography. No matter where they were as a family, Dad was always out front, sprinting to the next adventure. 

After 25 years of honorable service, Harry retired from the Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant, and he immediately began working again in various positions to support his family; he retired again after a ten-year long career at SAIC. 

Harry was always someone you could count on to provide support, advice, or just a great conversation that always ended with many laughs. He was the life of the party with a smile that lit up the room. He was an avid bowler and golfer and was a fixture at Waterford Golf Course even after his health prevented him from playing. He loved sports of all kinds and even coached his daughters and grandchildren in their various activities. He loved music and was a very good dancer. During his youth, Harry was known for his dancing skills throughout the Daytona Beach, Florida area and was very popular at the local dance clubs. This talent was one of the many things that attracted Connie to Harry, and it was a love they shared their entire 52 years of marriage; not only winning local dance contests but being a source of joy and entertainment for their daughters, family, and friends. 

“Woody”, as he was affectionately known, never met a stranger, and was a true friend. He was one of the most generous people and gave his time, knowledge, and treasures. He was a faithful member of both the Robins Air Force Base Our Lady of the Skies and Warner Robins Sacred Heart Catholic Churches, as well as the Knights of Columbus organization. He felt a duty to help his fellow servicemen with education and guidance on how to navigate the veteran’s administration to ensure they all got what they deserved. He was the Veteran Advocate for the Middle Georgia Honor Flight non-profit organization, working tirelessly to help veterans enroll for trips to Washington D.C. for a day of honor. 

Harry was the “rock” of the Wood family and made life fun and full of love. Although our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on through the lessons he taught us, the tremendous love he shared, and all the incredible memories we will cherish forever. 

His memory will forever be treasured by his loving wife, Constance “Connie” Wood; children, Jeanette Wall (Kevin), Shaunan Wood, and Mindy Angus (Chuck); grandchildren, Frank Wall, Jackson Wall, Jonah Wall, Evah Choyce, Eryn Choyce, Benjamin Angus, and Kara Angus; sisters, Beverly Ferrell (Jimmy) and Brenda Sidoti (Carmen) along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

A rosary will be Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home with a visitation following from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 25, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Afterward, Harry will be laid to rest in Magnolia Park Cemetery with full military honors. 

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Harry P. Wood, Jr. to Middle Georgie Honor Flight at 1114 Highway 96, Suite C-1, #344, Kathleen, GA 31047 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.  

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.