Obituary of E. Wood

E. Garrison Wood of Braselton, Ga. and formerly of Lynchburg passed away Tuesday, November 23 at 2:30 PM. He was born on July 6, 1915 in Campbell County, a son of the late Grover C. Wood and Alberta Scott Wood of Salem, Va. Garrison graduated from Salem High School in Salem, Va. Attended Roanoke College and later Florida Southern College. He was a graduate of the NABAC School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He was associated for many years with the Exchange National Bank, now Bank of America, in Winter Haven, Fla. In 1964, he joined the Financial General Corporation in Washington, DC. And later the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from which he retired. During the era of World War II, he served for eight years as a B-24 bomber pilot, and flew 65 combat missions with the 376TH. Heavy Bomb Group in Europe. For this service, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with seven clusters, the Distinguished unit Citation and ten Battle Stars. He was also awarded the title of Honorary Member of the former Royal Yugoslav Air Force. Follow the end of WW II, he continued his military service in the Pacific where he served as air base commander on both Saipan and Iwo Jima. Garrison later left the service with the rank of Lt. Colonel to pursue his civilian career in banking. Garrison was a charter member and registrar of the Patrick Henry Chapter Sons of the American Revolution and later a member of the Fincastle Resolution Chapter. He was also a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and was member of the Lynchburg Rotary Club for which he was a Paul Harris Fellow. During his years in Winter Haven, Fl. He was an active member and trustee of the Beymer Memorial Methodist Church and a charter member of the Lake Region Yacht and Country Club. In addition, he was a frequent participant in his son?s school and Boy Scout activities. After leaving Florida to relocate to Fairfax, VA, he continued to be active in Veterans Affairs as a life member of the American Legion, VFW, and AMVETS in the greater Washington DC, area. Upon retiring in Lynchburg he became a member of the First Christian Church and remained active in the Rotary Club activities for many years. He is survived by his wife, Jean Arington Jessee Wood, step-son, Ernest F. Jessee, III and his wife, Valera of Braselton, GA. Grandson, Daniel Garrison Jessee and his wife, Julie of Atlanta, GA. and nephew, Marcus Scott Wood, Jr. of Chatham, NY. Garrison was preceded in death by a brother, Marcus Scott Wood, Sr. and a sister, Mildred Coalter Wood. Memorial services by the Rev. David Cobb will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, November 27, 2010 at the Diuguid Wiggington Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A private interment will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the First Christian Church or to the Patrick Henry Boys? Home.