Thomas H. Wood Sr.

Judge Thomas H. Wood Sr.

The Honorable Judge Thomas Hutton Wood Sr., 68, husband of Helen Gay (Thomas) Wood, of Trap Lane, Verona, Virginia, died on Friday, January 14, 2011, at the University of Virginia Transitional Care Hospital in Charlottesville.

He was born on March 14, 1942, in Clifton Forge, a son of the late Henry and Pinkie Gwin (Hutton) Wood.

Judge Wood received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Hampden-Sydney College in 1964.

Judge Wood earned a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and began his legal career with Nelson, McPherson, Summers, and Wood, L.C., where he became a partner and was engaged in the private practice of law for many years. He also served part-time as an assistant public defender and Commonwealth's attorney for the City of Staunton before being appointed judge of the Staunton and Augusta County General District Court in 1980, serving for four years before becoming a judge for the Augusta County Circuit Court in 1984. In 2003, Judge Wood became the chief judge of the 25th Judicial Circuit, serving with great distinction and wisdom until his retirement in 2007.

In addition to his wife, family members include a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas H. Jr. and Jenny Wood of New York, New York; two daughters and sons-in-law, Andrea Wood and Todd Livick of Burke, and Sally Wood and Will Lightfoot of Annandale; a brother, Joe Wood of Clifton Forge; seven grandchildren, Stephen Livick, Taylor Livick, Alex Lightfoot, Will Lightfoot, Mary Wood, Virginia Wood, and Helen Wood.

A memorial service will be conducted 1 p.m. Monday, January 17, 2011, at First Presbyterian Church, where Judge Wood was a member for over forty years, by the Reverend Dr. Richard S. Dietrich. Burial will be private.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, January 16, 2011, at the Henry Funeral Home.

The family extends deep appreciation to the doctors at the Cancer Center of Augusta Health, the Staunton Medical Associates, and the University of Virginia Health Systems.

A special thanks to the nurses, doctors, and staff of the University of Virginia Transitional Care Hospital and to Dr. Kenneth Greer, Dr. Tom Zumsteg, and Dr. Charles Edwards.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Frederick Street, Staunton, VA 24401.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.henryfuneralhome.net.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.