Kenneth Lee Wood

Kenneth Lee Wood, age 79, passed away at Lexington Medical Center following a short battle with pancreatic cancer. 

He was born October 29, 1944, in Jefferson City, Tennessee, the son of Winona and Kenneth Wood. He lived with his family on the Clemson campus during his early years, where his father was a physics professor, until the age of eleven. The family then moved to Pendleton, SC.

Ken graduated from Pendleton High School where he lettered in track, basketball, and football, and was named a high school All-American football player. He received a football scholarship to the University of South Carolina, served in the U.S. Air Force, including two tours of duty in Thailand during the Vietnam War, and graduated from the University of Georgia. 

He was a bookstore manager at the University Bookstore at the Russell House for 18 years. He later sold real estate and worked in the Lawn and Garden Center at Sears before retiring. 

Ken loved his family unconditionally and was always active in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives, supporting them in all their varied activities - science projects, scouts, band, skateboarding, baseball, and drama. He served as a Cub Scout leader and church basketball coach. 

He was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church where he served faithfully on the Trustees Committee including several years as chairman. He had also served as an usher, flag-bearer, and general fix-it man. He especially enjoyed the Methodist Men’s Group and Veterans’ Breakfast Group. 

Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Patricia Wood; daughter, Andrea Derrick (David Crockett); son, David Wood (Lisa); grandchildren, Kenneth Saint Germain (Hunter), Hayden Gamarra (Samantha), Isabelle Wood, Ivy Wood, and Noah Wood; great-grandchildren, Kenneth Saint Germain, Edmund Saint Germain, and Ada Gamarra; and his sister, Elizabeth Wood Gibson. 

The family wants to especially thank the nursing staff at Lexington Medical Center for their excellent care during Ken’s last days. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 5 at 11:00 am at Bethel United Methodist Church, 4600 Daniel Drive Columbia, SC 29206.

Donations in Ken’s memory may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at fightcf.cff.org (Noah’s Journey in comments) or to Bethel United Methodist Church.

The South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Please share memories and messages on the online guest book by clicking on the “Leave A Tribute” tab above.