John Wood

John Leonard Wood, 79, of Fort Smith, Arkansas went to be with the Lord August 27, 2020.  He was born January 15, 1941 in Fayetteville, Arkansas to the late John Basil and Lela Armanda (Stahl) Wood.

John loved the Lord and devoted his life to serving him.  He was a member of Cedar Heights Baptist Church.  John was retired from Primerica as a finance director.  He received a Masters degree in Religions Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.  John also received a Bachelor degree in music from Ouachita Baptist University and his Masters degree in music from the University of Arkansas.  He enjoyed playing the trombone which he was passionate about. In his early music career, John started the orchestra program in the Fort Smith school district.  John was an ordained minister who constantly ministered to people where he went.  He served as Minister of Education and Music in multiple churches throughout his life.  John reared his family in church and was instrumental in leading his daughters to the Lord.  He instilled the importance of attending church and memorizing scripture from an early age.  Throughout John’s life, he never met a stranger and developed many friendships that remained strong until the end of his life.  Once you were his friend, he wouldn’t let you “not be.”  John never forgot you.  His dedication and loyalty was exemplified in his loving care given to his wife when her health began to fail.

Preceding John in death are his wife, Patricia Mae Wood; parents; and sister, Lera Jeanette Wood.

Left to cherish his memory are two daughters:  Keli Edwards and husband Raymond of Little Rock, Arkansas and Robin Nuss and husband James of Benton, Arkansas; grandchildren:  Andrew Edwards, Jacob Edwards, Ethan Nuss, and Hannah Nuss; and many family members and friends who love John and will miss him always.

To help continue spreading the gospel in John’s honor, family requests memorial donations to be made to Community Bible Study and Community Bible Study International, c/o Cindy Bequette, 5525 N. Grandview Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72207 or the The Gideons, www.gideons.org, Gideons Donations, PO Box 21313, Little Rock, Arkansas  72221-1313.

Graveside service, officiated by Pastor Chuck Winters, will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, September 3, at Roselawn Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM, Sunday, September 6, at Cedar Heights Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Arrangements entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home.  Online guestbook:  www.SmithFamilyCares.com.