John Warren Wood

John Warren "Jack" Wood, 87, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2015, at South Lake Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln, surrounded by family and friends. Born on a farm in South Dakota in 1928, Jack was raised in Storm Lake, Iowa. After serving in the Navy, Jack attended Buena Vista College in Iowa.

Jack started his career with Woodmen Accident and Life Company in northern Iowa, where he worked as an agent. In 1960, he moved his young family to Lincoln, where his career excelled. He ultimately led the company as a senior vice-president and managed the East Coast Agency division. He traveled extensively in his work and retired from Woodmen in 1991.

Jack was active in Alcoholics Anonymous for 43 years and was a strong, vocal advocate for the comprehensive treatment of addiction. He talked about issues that were not publicly discussed in the 1970s. Jack worked to de-stigmatize the words "alcoholic" and "addict." He was also a tireless sponsor for those who struggle with addiction. He is the former board chair of the Lincoln Council on Alcoholism and Drugs, the former board chair of the Lincoln General Hospital Board of Trustees, the former chair of the Nebraska Certificate of Need Committee, the former co-chair of the Project Review Committee, former chair of Houses of Hope, and former chair and co-founder of the Lincoln AA Central Office.

Jack was passionate about human rights and civil society and was a frequent author of published op-eds in various newspapers. He also love baseball, fishing, jazz, Nebraska football, quail and duck hunting, cruises to anywhere, interesting conversations and good friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey John Wood (died 1975); his brother, Jerry Wood; and parents, John and Ellen Wood. Jack is survived by his wife, Donna Jean Wood, Lincoln; daughters, Diane (Bob) Elrick, Redding, Calif., Debra Wood, Susan Wood,, Lincoln; sons, Thomas (Kelli) Wood and John Wood, Lincoln; sister, Ellen (Mike) Gaherty, Omaha; sisters-in-law, Willa Mae Janssen, Arvada, Colo., Marilyn Lusche, Columbus, and Alice Wood, Omaha; and eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A private family inurnment ceremony will be held on January 8. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., January 9, at First Plymouth Congregational Church, 2000 D St., Lincoln. Memorial to Lincoln Central Office or Heifer International. Online condolences to lincolnfh.com.