COL Harry F. Wood, Jr., USAF, Ret.

AIKEN, SC - Colonel Harry Fowler Wood, Jr. USAF (ret.) passed away on February 11, 2017 due to complications of Parkinson's disease. Col. Wood was a graduate of Ricker College, ME and the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program. He was also a graduate of the National War College and Industrial College of the Air Force.  During his 27 1/2 year career, he accumulated over 8,000 flying hours as a navigator and navigator bombardier. He flew C-47s, C-54s, B-47s, and most notably, B-52s with 1,677 combat hours. He participated on missions that included the Cuban Missile Crisis response and three Viet Nam War Arc Light Young Tiger deployments.  A combat crew member for 15 years, he flew 208 combat missions. His medals included the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and Air Medal with ten oak leaf clusters.  He served as an Avionics Squadron Commander at Loring, ME and as the Deputy Commander for Maintenance on Okinawa, Japan where he was credited for saving a multi-million dollar EC-135 aircraft that ran off the runway at Clark AB, Philippines. He led the avionics redesign of the B1B bomber while serving as the Avionics Division Commander at SAC Headquarters.  In retirement he worked for Boeing and led the deployment of the Boeing Avenger anti-aircraft system for the Army. He was an avid golfer with two hole in ones and bowler with a 300 game to his credit. He is survived by his wife, Patrecia Littrell Wood of 60 years, his daughter Jean Renée Reiter and her husband Jeff Reiter of Rock Hill, South Carolina, his granddaughter, Lauren Nicole Campbell, her husband Ben Campbell of St. Charles, MO, his great granddaughter Mckenzie Alexis Campbell age 2, his sister, Mary Elizabeth Carney of LaPlata, MD and his brother, William E. His son Harry Fowler Wood III passed away two years ago. The funeral service will be Thursday, February 16th at 11 o’clock at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church with The Rev. Grant Wiseman officiating.  Interment with military honors will be Friday morning, February 17th at 11 o’clock at Beaufort National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the USO (www.uso.org). SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of COL Harry F. Wood, Jr., USAF, Ret., please visit our flower store.