Gary E. Wood

Gary E. Wood

Surrounded by family, Gary E. Wood, 87, went home to the Lord on December 5, 2025. Gary was born May 1, 1938, in Parkersburg, West Virginia to the late Evans Wood and Mary Mae Wood Beckett. He graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1956 and attended West Virginia University until beginning his career at DuPont. He spent most of his career at Shell Chemical and retired in 1990.

He married his loving wife, Joyce, on April 8, 1961. They were blessed with three children, Kim (Greg) Walters, Natalie (Randy) Lee, and Mike (Sherry) Wood, 20 grandchildren and “bonus” grandchildren, Josh (Sabrina) Walters, Megan (Adam) Martin, Derik (Sarah) Walters, Kyle (Megan) Barnette, Eric (Julia) Lee, Kelli Barnette, Megan Lee, Jill (Mike) Irwin, Emily Koerber, Mackenzi (Kassidy) Wood, Meredith (Christian) Hushion, and Cameron Wood, and 16 great grandchildren, with one more on the way. He is survived by his wife, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a sister, Carolyn Morris, of Wilmington, North Carolina and her family. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, his stepfather, Eugene Beckett, and many other close friends and family.

Gary loved being outdoors, especially with his son and grandsons. He enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren participate in many sports and activities and cheered for Parkersburg South Patriot football and WVU Mountaineer sports. He appreciated a good bargain at a garage sale or antique store, especially on fishing lures and duck decoys. Gary loved to talk and tell stories, chatting with friends and family on the phone often, and he was known to strike up conversations with strangers that usually began with a joke. He loved brightening others’ days. Most importantly, Gary was a man of humble faith. A follower of the Lord, he instilled his deep love of God in his family and showed others the love of Jesus in his words and actions. He loved gospel music and sang at his church, Edgelawn United Methodist for many years before joining the congregation at South Parkersburg United Methodist. The final sermon he listened to encouraged him to “pray without ceasing,” which we are confident he did throughout his life.

Gary was a great man and led his family with strength and care. We will forever remember him as the best husband, dad, and papaw we could have asked for, and we will miss him until we see him again.

Funeral services will be Wednesday 11AM at the Leavitt Funeral Home, Parkersburg with Reverend Danny McVey officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens. Visitation will be Tuesday 2-4 and 6-8PM and one hour prior to services.

Donations can be made in his memory to the Erickson All-Sports Facility Development Corporation or the Gabriel Project at St. Francis Xavier in Parkersburg, WV, or the Pregnancy Care Center of Hickory, North Carolina.

Online guests may send condolences to the family by visiting www.LeavittFuneralHome.com.