Johnny Wood

Johnny Wesley Wood, 82, of Lubbock, TX, passed away on June 17, 2024. He was born on August 2, 1941, in Lawton, OK, to George Wesley Wood and Thelma LaFay Rinks Wood. 

Johnny married Patricia King on September 13, 1969, in Lawton, OK.

He took his little family to Canadian, Texas, to return to work with his dad in the oil field. They returned to Lawton in 1971 where he worked for Overhead Door Company.

In 1973 they moved to Lubbock, where he worked for G.E. Warehouse for 6 years and Nunn Electric for 2 years. In 1981 Gene Messer talked him into coming to work for Gene Messer Ford. Johnny worked as a Service Advisor for 30 years, retiring at the age of 68 in 2009, returning to Messer in 2010, retiring again in 2011. He was honored to worked for a man of such great faith and integrity as Gene. While there, he developed numerous lasting relationships with service writers, mechanics, and employees in other departments and in other Gene Messer auto dealerships. His customers often became friends. When they called, they heard, “Service, this is Johnny!” After retirement he spent many days at Stonegate Golf Course, either practicing on the range and putting green or playing with “the guys.” He bought Pat a set of golf clubs and she went with him many days. He mostly enjoyed going with family members who had learned to play. 

Johnny was a proud veteran, having voluntarily joined the U.S. Army at 17 years old, in 1958, during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Germany at Schwabisch Hall, being deployed one time to Berlin because of the building of the Berlin Wall. He was honorably discharged after 3 ½ years, as a SP4, being awarded the Good Conduct Metal.

Over 55 years, Johnny’s little family grew. His family was his joy and purpose, from his grandma who raised him as a child, down to the Great Grands. Three daughters married, giving him three sons-in-love, then 16 “Grands” (“ours, mine and yours, but all ours”), and their spouses, and 19 “Greats.” Johnny often said, “God has blessed us greatly with our family.” He was always ready to babysit the grands, feeding, even the diapers, but especially the rocking; he loved going to their baseball, basketball, football games, and clogging lessons. His idea of vacation was going to visit family in Oklahoma and Michigan.

He was an avid Texas Tech fan for all sports, unless we were playing OU. The “Boomer Sooners” were his team from an early age. He held PLS’s for the Lady Raider basketball games, sitting on the first row, behind the team’s bench, and traveled to Southwest and Big 12 conferences. 

As much as Johnny loved his family and friends, he loved his God even more!

He accepted Christ as his savior in his youth growing up in the Baptist church. In Lubbock he was a member of Trinity Church for 18 years, then joined Trinity Baptist Church. He would tell you he was not near perfect, but he tried. God knew the INTENT of Johnny’s heart! His Bible is worn from reading, studying, and just holding it. In the past two years, he read through his Bible from Genesis to Revelations three times – even the begats. He was especially interested in prophecy. Years ago, he bought a four-translation version to understand scripture better. Johnny and Pat would often discuss scripture that helped them through tough times or share something they found which they had not noticed before.

Johnny deeply believed the ultimate healing is to leave this life and go to Heaven where there is no more pain or suffering, be it physical or mental. He knew where he would be going when his time came - to be with God and his Savior Jesus Christ.

He trusted God to be in control, for the Holy Spirit to comfort us, to lead us in life and especially through the past few months, and to lead his doctors in his medical care. There were times we became impatient waiting on tests for his Dementia in the past year before receiving the cancer diagnosis. Then we could look back and see God’s timing. God is SO good!

He was at great peace about his cancer, and we talked about the loved ones with whom he would soon be reunited. Johnny was not in pain, but he was ready to go to his Lord. He is waiting for you to join him when your time comes.

Johnny is survived by his wife, Patricia Wood of Lubbock, TX; three daughters, Angela Moore, spouse of Mark Moore of Lubbock Tx, Jodi Schumaker of Clarkston, Michigan, and Tina Martinez spouse of Ruben Martinez of Lubbock, Tx; grandchildren Heather and Harley Whaley, Christy and Marcus Dempsey, Ashley and Tony Stevens, Jenni And Tom Trewhella, Jonathan Wesley Brock, Johnathon Stratton, Jerad and Christina Johnson, Gabrielle and Tyler Griffin, Brittanni KaLyn, Courtney and Kevin Stutesman, Hannah Martinez and fiancé Luke Boyd, Jackson and Erica Martinez, Logan Moore and fiancé Sarah Wigginton, George Martinez; and 21 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his Grandma Lula Belle Wood, Father George Wesley Wood, Parents Thelma and Chuck Foster, Sisters Jean Chambers and Patricia Nokes, Mother-in-Love Olive King, Father-in-Love Clyde King, Son-in-Love Dave Schumaker, and Great Grandchild Tyler Vannatter. 

A memorial service for Johnny will be held on July 6th, 2024 at 10:00 a.m at the Venue on Broadway. 

Donations can be made in Johnny’s name to: Southcrest Baptist Church Television Broadcasting, 3801 S Loop 289, Lubbock, Tx. 79423.