Gary Wayne Wood

Gary Wayne Wood of Weatherford, age 72, received his ultimate healing and went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 13, after a long, but courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Gary was born January 2, 1951, in Silsbee, Texas to Alexander John Wood and Frances Maxine (Sparks) Wood. He loved playing high school football for the Silsbee Tigers. After being recruited by several universities, he signed a letter of intent to the University of Houston and became a Houston Cougar. Thinking this would lead him to a coaching career, he soon discovered that God had a different plan for his life, so after one season with U of H, he gave up his football scholarship to answer God’s call to the gospel ministry. He then enrolled at East Texas Baptist University to study for the ministry. Another one of Gary’s loves was music, especially singing, and this was the direction God would choose that began his ministry of music for over 50 years. Gary would complete his education at Stephen F. Austin State University and graduate from there in 1975.

During Gary’s senior year in high school, he served as part-time youth minister at Mt. Oliver Baptist Church where he met a young lady named Kaye Owens who became the love of his life and would become his partner in ministry. They married on December 18, 1971, and over the course of 52 years would serve at various churches including: First Baptist Church, Hemphill, TX, Huntington Baptist Church, Harlandale Baptist in San Antonio, and First Baptist Church, Alvin, TX, before arriving at North Side Baptist Church in Weatherford. There, Gary would serve for 34 years.

Gary and Kaye were blessed with two sons, Randy and Jared, who would follow in their dad’s footsteps in music ministry. Gary always said that they do the same thing he did, just in a different way.

After moving to Weatherford, Gary immediately became involved in the community and WISD. He served 2 years as President of the Weatherford Athletics Booster Club, President of the Optimist Club, and served on the Campus Improvement Team for WISD.

While Gary served at NSBC, he ministered to hundreds of young people through youth camps and Youth Choir Mission trips all over the United States. In addition, he was the lead singer in the Crimson River Quartet, recording several albums and performing concerts across several states.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie and Maxine Wood. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kaye; sons, Randy (Jayme) of Wichita Falls, Jared of Carrollton; grandchildren, Owens, Murphy, and Maggie Wood; brother, Ricky Lynn Wood of Crystal Beach; sister, Nancy Darlene Smith of Orange; uncle, Kennard (Betty) Wood of Nacogdoches; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.

The family would like to express thanks and gratitude to Amedysis Hospice for their excellent care of Gary during the last 9 months. A special thanks to Joann, Tina, Tosha, Angela, and Tomona.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a financial donation to one of the following:

North Side Baptist Church (music ministry, Heaven’s Handymen, or building fund), Parkinson’s Foundation, or PAN Foundation.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 17, 2023, and the Funeral Ceremony at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 18, 2023, both at the North Side Baptist Church, in Weatherford, Texas.