Thomas Eugene Wood

Thomas Eugene Wood, age 66, of Edmond, Oklahoma passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2023. Thom was born on February 24, 1957, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Eugene and Charlotte Wood. He spent his younger years in the Ada, Oklahoma area, and his high school years in Newcastle, Oklahoma where he graduated as a Newcastle Racer. After high school Thom completed course work at East Central University in Ada and received a Bachelor of Art in Music Education. He took coursework at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City and then began to work at the Oklahoma State Department of Labor. This motivated him to obtain a Master of Science Degree in Industrial Hygiene from the University of Oklahoma in 1991. Thom also completed course work toward a Doctorate of Adult Education at Oklahoma State University. Meanwhile he taught Safety at the University of Central Oklahoma. Thom enjoyed a long career dedicated to teaching, consulting and managing environment and occupational safety. He performed the necessary requirements to be a Certified Safety Engineer and was active in professional associations including being Oklahoma State President for ASSE (American Society of Safety Engineers). He finished his long Safety career when he retired from the Federal Aviation Administration in December of 2013. His commitment to workplace safety was admirable amongst his peers.

From a young age Thom had a passion for singing and all things music. He enjoyed many years traveling in a “purple eggplant” of a bus as the tenor of the gospel quartet Promise. He played multiple instruments including guitar, piano/keyboard, drums and the occasional kazoo. A gifted musician, Thom shared his love for music through several garage bands and a “hanger band” that consisted of fellow FAA employees. With these he performed at Art Festivals, weddings, and other local stages playing classic rock songs. In his later years he loved dedicating his free time to teaching his grandchildren to sing and play musical instruments.

Thom was an avid OU sports fan and enjoyed spending time with family and friends watching and cheering for OU football and other Sooner sports. As a proud father and PaPa to his grandchildren he delighted in being the loudest at all of his children and grandchildren’s sporting events whether it be soccer, volleyball, baseball, football or band competitions.

Thom is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy; son David and wife Liz; daughter Annie Ersland; daughter Katye Girdner and husband Cory; mother Charlotte; brother Keith and five grandchildren Asher, Addison, Levi, Dakota, and Mikaela. Also there are numerous friends and family who are the salt of the Oklahoma Red Dirt.

If anyone wishes so, in lieu of flowers donations can be given to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at T2T.org.

A visitation for Thomas will be held Wednesday, November 8, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Baggerley Funeral Home, 930 South Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034.

A funeral service will occur Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Free Will Baptist Church - Newcastle, 3133 NW 24th St, Newcastle, OK 73065. A committal service will follow at 2:00 PM at Memorial Park Cemetery, 13400 N Kelley Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73131.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baggerley.com for the Wood family.