Lewis Fain Wood Jr.

He was born November 29, 1931, in Murfreesboro, TN and was the son of the late Lewis Fain Wood, Sr. and Mildred Parrish Wood. Lew grew up in Nashville and after graduating from MBA in 1950 he attended The University of the South but interrupted his education to serve in the Air Force during the Korean War. Honorably discharged, he finished his education at Vanderbilt, graduating in 1955.

After an early career as a stockbroker, Lew became a health care entrepreneur. He co-founded American Psychiatric Hospitals in 1969 and became a VP of Hospital Affiliates Int’l when they purchased APH in 1971. In 1980, he co-founded American Medical Centers, a hospital chain that was purchased by Hospital Corp of America. In 1985, he became president and CEO of National Rehabilitation Centers. In 1989, he founded Hoosier Care, a non-profit nursing home company.

Sharing in many happy memories are his wife of 48 years, Cynthia Bailey Wood; daughters Karen Vander Els of SC, Laura Steltenpohl (Mark) of AL, and Lisa Warren (John) of NC. Lew was affectionately called Daddy-O by his grandchildren Melanie Wilds (Roger), Matthew Vander Els (Jenny), Chase Vander Els (Irene), Natalie Steltenpohl, Gregory Steltenpohl, Adam Warren, Mary Jane Warren, Alex Warren and Candice Warren and 7 great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by his brother Stephen F. Wood, Sr. (Joyce) of Nashville; and former wife Shirley Canborg Wood of SC. Preceding Lew in death is his son-in-law Wallace Vander Els.

Visitation will be at Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Sat, Jan.14 from 2-4. Service will be at Westminster Presbyterian Church Sunday at 1:30. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Montgomery Bell Academy, Nashville Humane Society or Alive Hospice.

Marshall-Donnelly-Combs is serving the family of Mr. Wood and condolences can be made online.