Walter Robert Lewis Woody Wood

 Dr. Walter Robert Lewis Woody Wood peacefully passed away on October 2, 2016, at St. Vincent's Medical Center, Jacksonville, FL at the age of 56 after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. Woody was born on April 10, 1960, in San Antonio, Texas, to Walter and Jo Ann Wood. His military family carried him to many places across the country. Woody graduated from Florida State University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. Woody was a huge FSU Seminole fan and a supporter of his alma mater. In 1986, he graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. He then attended the University of North Carolina where he received his Certificate of Advanced Study in Periodontics in 1988. In 1989, Woody married the love of his life, Kathleen Ann Kathy Wood at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill, NC. Woody and Kathy were blessed with three beautiful children, Lauren Ann Wood, Erica Angela Wood, and Walter Joseph Wood, all of whom Woody dearly loved and cherished. In 1990, Woody opened his private practice in Jacksonville specializing in Periodontics. Throughout his career, he was devoted to his patients and was deeply loved and respected by all who knew him. He was extremely committed to his profession and involved with several organizations: American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the Northeast District Dental Association (Past President), Jacksonville Dental Society, American Academy of Periodontics, Southern Academy of Periodontics, Academy of Osseointegration, Pierre Fauchard Academy and the Jacksonville Society of Periodontics. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy, their three children, Lauren Wood, Erica Wood and Walter Wood; his mother, Jo Ann Geisler of Cocoa Beach, FL; his father- in-law, Eric Anthony Tipp, North Olmsted, OH; his sister, Dr. Kimberly Ann Scales (Joseph Robert); his brother, Richard Wood (Denise); his sisters-in-law, Susan Simonetti (Michael) and Julie Balazic (Matthew), and his brother-in-law, Steven Tipp (Kristene). Woody was also blessed with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father and stepmother, Walter Hazelhurst and Louise Wood, his step-father, Louis Geisler, his mother-in-law, Nancy Elaine Tipp, his aunt, Virginia Soule, and his uncle, Jack Wood. Woody loved camping, kayaking, hiking, fishing and his guns. He was an avid and accomplished rock climber who traveled to Yosemite, Nevada, Wyoming, Tennessee and North Carolina with his friends and family. In rock climbing terms, a Belayer is the one who protects and keeps the climber safe by pulling the rope in as the climber goes up a climb. If Woody were here to speak to all of his family and friends, he would tell you that during the course of his life he had several belayers who helped and protected him, but the two most important were his Heavenly Father and his loving wife, Kathy. The family wishes to extend its deepest gratitude to all the doctors and nurses who compassionately cared for Woody. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM on Sunday, October 9th at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd., 32207, with a Vigil Service at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Monday, October 10th at Assumption Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd, 32207. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis, TN 38148 Monastery of the Poor Clares 3501 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, OH 44111 Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center-Through HonorHealth Foundation 8125 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Published in the Florida Times-Union from Oct. 5 to Oct. 9, 2016

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesunion/obituary.aspx?n=walter-robert-lewis-woody-wood&pid=181747741&fhid=14063