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Richard A. Wood III

1947 - 2020

Richard A. Wood III obituary, 1947-2020, New Orleans, LA

BORN

1947

DIED

2020

FUNERAL HOME

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Richard Wood Obituary

Coach Richard Wood passed away on March 10, 2020 in Louisville, KY. Born February 21, 1947 in New Orleans to Richard and Alma Wood. Richard graduated from St Bernard High School and University of Southern Mississippi with a BA in History where he also played football and ran track. He graduated with a Master's Degree in Education from University of Alabama in Birmingham, Al. Survived by his wife of 50 years Mary Gail "Petie" Wood, his son Richard "Rick" Wood IV (Blair) of Simpsonville, KY, daughter Emily Williamson (Christopher) of Fairfax, VA, and son Jason Wood (Katie) of Durango, CO. Also survived by four grandchildren Ellie Williamson, Max Williamson, Annabelle Wood, and Maddox Wood. Survived by his sister Carol Wood, his brother-in-law Don Ellis, sister-in-law Sherry Barto, his nephews Joshua Barto, Corey Forbes, Carey Forbes, and niece Jessica Forbes. Richard coached and taught at Port Sulphur High School in Port Sulphur, LA (1971–1973); Jones Valley High School in Birmingham, AL (1973–1975) ; W.A. Berry High School in Birmingham, AL (1975–1978); Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, LA (1978–1988); Eleanor McMain Secondary School in New Orleans, LA (1993–1995); two separate stints at Metairie Park Country Day School in Metairie, LA (1995–2003 and 2007–2016); Cape Hatteras Secondary School in Buxton, NC (2003–2005); and South Lakes High School in Reston, VA (2005–2007). Richard retired in 2016 after more than 40 years, but he never stopped coaching us all in life. Richard's passion in life was teaching children of all ages about the joy and values of physical fitness. His philosophy was centered around the notion that "if you are not having fun, then do not do it." Richard enjoyed a strong faith in his church; cherished the ocean and surfing; and loved his family joyously, who will greatly miss "Pop" and his white mustache, hugs and smiles. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to The Special Olympics Louisiana. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124 on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. A brief visitation will continue the following day, March 18, at 11:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens, 701 W. Virtue St, Chalmette, LA 70043. The family invites you to share your fond memories and condolences online at lakelawnmetairie.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Times-Picayune from Mar. 13 to Mar. 18, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Wood

Sponsored by Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries.

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Sheila Murphree

September 17, 2020

Gail, I was looking for you online and found this instead. I am so sorry for your loss. The years have passed too quickly. God's peace for your whole family. Sheila Black Murphree

Chick and Sandy McGeehan

March 18, 2020

Petie,
May God bless you and your family during this time. I know you understand that we would have been at the service today if it weren't for the coronavirus. We would love to have been there to celebrate Richard's life, a life well lived. We will pray for God's Peace and Comfort to surround you each day.
Chick & Sandy McGeehan

Chick and Sandy McGeehan

March 18, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Mike Markham

March 18, 2020

R.I.P. Coach Wood. He coached me at McMain in NOLA in the early to mid-90s. Good coach. We had fun and were competitive.

Joyce Gill

March 18, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.I will continue to keep you in my prayers. I worked with Richard at McMain.

Comfort Planter

Kannika Green

Sent Flowers

Joseph Paul Devenport (StB HS 1964)

March 16, 2020

RIP old friend and teammate. Sharon &
I of course in high risk age group for
Virus; sorry we will miss service.

George Webb

March 14, 2020

Like many, I remember Coach Wood as a wonderfully kind cross-country coach at Isidore Newman School, but I knew him first as a history teacher. I loved his American history class, and towards the end of the course he lent me the first scholarly biography I ever read: Edmund Morris's The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt", which had just come out and soon won the Pulitzer Prize. It was a bit heavy for a 7th grader but I managed to tackle it anyway. Later I went out for cross-country entirely because he invited me to and because I admired him. Even though I was not a good runner and had no impact on the team's overall success, Coach Wood never failed to have time for me and to encourage me. His combination of kindness and high standards as both a coach and a teacher made a big impression on me at Newman. I have remembered him fondly ever since, and I know he is held in equally high regard by many others. My condolences to all of the Wood family. May he rest in peace.

Todd Lupberger

March 14, 2020

He was one of my favorite coaches and people .. so sorry for the loss . Thoughts and prayers to all his family, Love You CoaCh !

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results

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Memorial Events
for Richard Wood

Mar

17

Visitation

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124

Mar

18

Visitation

11:00 a.m.

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124

Mar

18

Funeral service

12:00 p.m.

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124

Funeral services provided by:

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124

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