Gerald Gene Wood

Gene was born to Edmund Franklin Wood and Beulah Nixon Wood on January 20, 1916 on a ranch just south of Luling, Texas. He attended the one room country Bethany School in Guadalupe County and later graduated from Luling High School and attended Southwest State Teachers College in San Marcos, TX.

He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII and served honorably with the 411th Squadron in the Aleutian Islands and elsewhere. His decorations include Aleutians Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, American Defense Service Medal and others.

In 1946, Gene went to work for Humble Oil and Refining Co. (later Exxon). He married the late Alice Miller Penton (deceased) and raised two sons, Jim and Carl. He retired in 1973, returning to his family ranch. He enjoyed the ranch life and working with his cattle. In 1978, he met Elsie Bormann Bartoskewitz and they married in 1980.

Gene lived his honorable life as a fine example for those who knew him. The attributes of honestly, humility, courtesy, kindness and hard work are commonly associated with him by those who loved him.

With Elsie’s assistance, Gene applied for and received a Texas Historical Marker designation of the Old Nixon Cemetery on FM 1150 in Guadalupe County, which was awarded by the State of Texas in 1989.

Also with Elsie’s help, Gene’s ranch was accepted into Texas Family Land Heritage program sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture. This award acknowledges over 150 years of continual family operation of the Nixon family farm and ranch.

He was a member of H.U. Wood Post 245 of the American Legion and of the Exxon Retires Club.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Kent Wood and Weldon Wood; sisters Louise Wood Ash, Fannie Wood Cheshire, Margie Wood Morris, Laura Wood Hancock, Julia Wood, Marie Wood Schurig, and Merle Wood Young and his oldest son, James (Jim) A. Wood.

He is survived by his wife Elsie Bormann Bartoskewitz; his son Carl Wood and wife Betty (Austin, TX); stepson Wilfred Bartoskewitz and wife Betty (Geronimo, TX); stepdaughters Barbara Harborth and husband Paul (Geronimo, TX) and Linda Foreman and husband Ronald (Seguin, TX); grandsons Benjamin and Justin; granddaughters Rachel, Rebecca, and Sarah; nine step grandchildren, and 14 step-great-grandchildren.

There will be a visitation at Goetz Memorial Chapel (Seguin, TX) on Monday, April 11, 2011 from 4 to 7 p.m. A private family burial will be held at Old Nixon Cemetery with military honors preformed by the American Legion Post #245. Pallbearers for Gene are Billy Cheshire, Tommie Schurig and Paul Schurig John Quinn, Robert Quinn, Steven Quinn, Justin Wood, Don Brady and Jim Amicone. Honorary pallbearers are members of the American Legion Post 245 and the Exxon Retirees Club. A memorial service will be held at Goetz Memorial Chapel Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Jeremy Roy presiding. After the memorial service you are invited to a reception in Gene’s honor at American Legion Post (Seguin, TX).

Any memorial contributions can be made to the Nixon Cemetery Association C/O Gloria Quinn 9521 FM 1150 Luling, TX 78648 or to the Texas Agriculture Education Heritage Center at 390 Cordova Rd. Seguin, TX 78155.