Dr. Eugene G. Wood, Jr., made the trip to his Heavenly home from his earthly home surrounded by his loving family on December 8, 2021.

Dr. Gene Wood was an old-school, hands-on, caring doctor. He grew up in Moss Point, MS, the son of the late Eugene Gregory Wood, Sr. and Mary Alice Avera Wood. He was born on March 24, 1934. He was a good student and athlete at Moss Point High School. Longtime friend, Robert Khayat made the following remark: "Gene always played quarterback because he was smart and could throw accurate passes. He was handsome and very thoughtful." The friendship bonds made in high school remained strong throughout his life.

As a young boy, he was deeply impressed by his family doctor, Dr. James Thompson. At an early age, he declared his desire to become a family doctor just like Dr. Thompson and began a pursuit of a pre-med degree at Ole Miss in 1951. He joined Kappa Sigma Fraternity and delicately balanced social and academic life making sure his grades were worthy of entering medical school. Upon graduation from Ole Miss, he entered the University Medical Center as a member of the first Freshman class when the school opened in 1955. He was proud to be a member of the first four-year class to graduate in 1959.

God blessed him in 1957 when he met and married Carolyn Harpole. Together, they were further blessed with three children Greg, Wendy, and Leslea. They were a great team for the following 44 years until Carolyn's death from cancer in 2001. The hole left in his heart was partially filled in 2006 when he married his present wife, Judy Williams Graham. Following Judy's lead, he joined the Episcopal Church in 2008. Together, they were communicants of St. Paul's in Meridian. They enjoyed sharing the experiences and sights of traveling and the tremendous pride and satisfaction of watching his 8 grandchildren grow, graduate, marry, and produce precious great-grandchildren. The current count of great-grandchildren is 12 and, as Gene would say, "another in the hanger."

All his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren affectionately called him D-Daddy. As D-Daddy of the family, he is remembered for his numerous bird houses made in his treasured workshop. His green thumb (which he accidentally cut off making his last bird house) afforded him the production of many flowers, vegetables, and countless blueberries from his garden on Lake Catherine. He was as sought after for advice on horticultural issues as well as advice on medical issues. D-Daddy enjoyed family genealogy and was an avid photographer. He loved having family pictures everywhere and if one picture was great, then 12 copies were even better! He loved sharing all of them with family.

Gene was proud to say that he put the first patient in Hinds General Hospital and later served as Chief of Staff and on the Board of Trustees of the hospital. He was past President of the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians, Mississippi Delegate to the American Academy of Family Physicians for ten years, past President of Central Mississippi Medical Association and, also, past chairman of the Ole Miss Medical Guardian Society. He was named Mississippi Family Physician of the year by the Mississippi Academy in 1989. He was named Exemplary Physician of the Year in 2000. In 2004, he was named as one of "The Best Doctors in America".

He was team physician for Wingfield High School in the late sixties and assisted Dr. Jim Manning with Jackson Prep football team. He served of the Board at Jackson Prep and was a past president of the Booster Club. For his participation with these teams, plus serving as physician for the Mississippi Private School All Star Games, Dr. Wood was named to the Mississippi Private School Association Hall of Fame in 2008

Gene retired in 2008 after 48 years of practice only to return part time in 2010, spending his last years of medical practice with the Hinds Internal Medicine Group. He loved his patients and considered most to be like members of the family. Retirement brought much concern especially for the many Medicare patients that he cared so deeply for all those years.

Dr. Clyde Muse, President Emeritus of Hinds Community College, shares his thoughts, "A person is fortunate if they have one good friend…someone you feel free to call at 2 o'clock in the morning for help. Dr. Eugene Wood was that person for me. As our family physician for over 40 years, his tremendous diagnostic abilities saved the life of one of my children. Our families have enjoyed many occasions together. Gene had a strong faith and love for God and family."

Dr. Wood was preceded in death by his parents Gregory and Mary Alice Wood, his wife, Carolyn Harpole Wood, a brother, George C. Wood of Oxford, and his daughter, Wendy Wood Edwards of Memphis.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Graham Wood, son Dr. E. Greg Wood III (Kelly) of Flowood, son-in-law, Paul Edwards (Jennifer) of Oxford, daughter, Leslea Wood Purvis (Paige) of Flowood, brothers, Dr. Lawrence A. Wood (Helen) of Gautier, David C Wood (Angie) of Nashville, sister, Mary Helen Maynor (Bill) of Sun City Center.

Grandchildren: Carolyne Richtarsic (Jon) of Crestwood KY, Marion Wise (Neal) of Jackson, Gene Wood IV of Dallas, Dr. Price Edwards (Sophie) of Memphis, Scott Edwards (Elizabeth) of Atlanta, Dr. Michael Edwards (Mary Taylor) of Denver, Tolar Wood Purvis of Flowood, Will Thomas Purvis of Flowood and 12 great-grandchildren.

Step-children: Hardy P. Graham, Jr, (Monica) of Meridian and Lee Graham Keeton (Lucky) of Meridian. Step-grandchildren Lauren Graham, Lilli Graham, Graham Morphis, and Liam Morphis.

Visitation will be Saturday, December 11 at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Flowood, MS. Visitation will be from 11 AM to 1 PM. Service immediately following in the Chapel. Burial will be in Lakewood Memorial Park.

The family request that memorials be made to the Rock Steady Parkinson's Metro Jackson Program â"… First Baptist Church, 431 North State Street, Jackson, Ms. 39201, or St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1116 23rd Avenue Meridian, MS 39301.