Iris Wayne Wood

1913 ~ 2010

Iris Wayne (Spud) Wood, 97, a Merced resident since 1938, passed away on Monday,September 19, 2010 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Spud was born in Oklahoma in May 1913 to Jettie Lee Wood (Green) and James Alexander Wood. Spud had three sisters, Lola Faye Rogers, Eva Moore,and Zell Bradstreet and three brothers, Jim Wood, J.A. Wood, and Thomas Doyle (Tade) Wood.

Spud was a farmer in the old tradition. He started his career in farming as a 14 year old boy in Texas,operating the family farm. After graduating, he married his high school sweetheart Mary Evelyn Gudgel. They had their first child, Annetta, and left Texas for California when she was 5 months old during the dust bowl in 1936. In California, he worked as a hired hand in farming operations in El Nido. Spud and Mary moved to Merced in 1938 and bought a 36 acre plot of raw land, built a house, and resumed his farming career while working for other local farmers in the area. Spud farmed different crops including figs, turkeys and alfalfa until he started his dairy. After retiring from the dairy, he raised beef cattle until his final retirement at the age of 91.

Throughout his life, Spud was an avid hunter and had the "Best Hunting Dogs" in the country. He tracked and hunted various wild game in the local area and in the mountains, but always came home every night to his "Darlin Mary". They were married 77 years. Spud is survived by his wife and two daughters, Annetta E Meyer and Myrna Akins. They also have five grandchildren, Gregory Meyer, Kellee Meyer, Aric Akins, Andrea Berrett, and Angela Smith. They have ten great-grandchildren, Kate, Emily, Aren, Adam, Abigail, Allison, Shannon, Connor, Dakota and Kali.

Spud and Mary traveled and enjoyed their close friends with whom they started the California Drifters RV Club. Spud sponsored hunting dog shows and field trials throughout California in the 1950s with his prized dogs and pet raccoon, Rackie. He was in a constant but friendly competition with fellow dog lover, Roy Rogers.

Spud always enjoyed being with young people and on many occasions took his grandsons Greg, Aric and many Boy Scouts and other young people on night excursions with his hunting dogs. Spud was also a great family man enjoying get togethers and telling stories of his hunting escapades.

Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home at 1490 B Street, Merced on Saturday 25,2010 at 1 PM. Internment will follow at Plainsburg Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions may be made to: The Merced Historical County Society, Old County Courthouse. 21st and N Streets, Merced, CA 95340.