Eddie L. Wood

Eddie L. Wood

Eddie L. Wood was set free from Alzheimer's and cancer on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at Birch Gardens Nursing Facility in Augusta County. He was a man who put faith and family above all else.

Born on July 5, 1926, in Albemarle County, Eddie was the eighth of nine children of Stuard Grayson and Anna McAllister Wood. Preceding him in death were five brothers and their wives, Ervin and Ruth of Ivy, Thomas and Louise of Albemarle County, Stuard and Virginia of Waynesboro, Kenneth and Ann of Crozet, and Fulton and Ellen of Ivy; and a brother-in-law, Morrison Willis of Ivy.

Following high school, Eddie was a member of the United States Army and spent several months on duty at the Sugamo Prison in Japan. He then began his higher education, attending both Bridgewater College and Virginia Tech for his undergraduate work. He received his Master's degree in Resource Management from the University of Montana.

Eddie spent more than 30 years working for the United States Department of Agriculture in Soil and Water Conservation. Stewardship of the earth was his mission. He designed more than 50 ponds in Albemarle County alone. Eddie was also the primary designer of the Mountain Run Dam Project in Culpeper County.

He enjoyed international travel as a part of his job as well, advising the governments in Ecuador and Thailand on agricultural projects. He served as the State Conservationist in both Maine and Kentucky before retiring to Albemarle County in 1983.

Eddie is survived by his wife, Norma Dukes, whom be married on May 2, 1950, in Maryland; and by two daughters and their husbands, Paula and Peter Welch of Crozet, and Trinlie Wood and Mark Allen of Madison County. His pride and joy were his five grandchildren, Erin Wood, of Richmond, Virginia, Adam Welch of Crozet, Virginia, Amber Allen of Hampton, Virginia, Chase Welch and his wife, Meg, of Chicago, currently serving in the United States Marine Corps, and Dos Allen of Boston, Massachusetts. Also surviving are two sisters, Lucille Willis of Augusta County, and JoLee and her husband, B.B. Hanger of Staunton; and brother, Dan, and his wife, Catherine, of Waynesboro.

While Eddie enjoyed golf and hunting, and an avid community gardener, his family was his passion. His constant reminder to all of his family was, "We are so blessed!"

No matter where he lived, Eddie was always active in the church, serving many years at Mountain Plain Baptist Church, and the Crozet Baptist Church locally. He taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and was a deacon. His deep reverence for faith, family, and the earth was evident to those around him.

Funeral services will be held at the Crozet Baptist Church 11 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 2009. Burial will follow at Mountain Plain Cemetery with the Reverend David Collyer officiating. Following the interment, friends are invited to return to Crozet Baptist for food and fellowship with the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Eddie L. Wood Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit Virginia college students who pursue an agricultural degree. Gifts may be sent to: Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District 706G Forrest Street, Charlottesville, VA 22903, Attn: Garnett Mellen.

Anderson Funeral Service of Crozet is handling arrangements.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.