Joseph Wood, Sr.

Joseph Granville Wood, Sr. of White Plains, MD died on Monday, November 12, 2012 in Myrtle Beach, SC. He was 77 years old. He was known to his family as Granville and his friends as "Woody". Joseph was born August 24, 1935 in Ridge, Maryland. He was one of five children born to the late James Tennyson Wood and Doris Elizabeth (Ridgell) Wood. He attended St. Michael's Catholic School in Ridge, Maryland. He served three years in the United States Army National Guard, Company B, 121st Engineer E (C) Leonardtown, Maryland as a Combat Demolition Specialist and was honorably discharged on September 8, 1956. He held many occupations over the years which included farmer, grocery deliverer, truck driver, automobile mechanic, Sunoco Service Station owner/operator in Brandywine, MD and Cheltenham, MD for Besche Oil Company, high performance parts store owner, tool and parts manager at Ken Dixon Automotive and manager/operator of Quality Auto Cleaning. He was a long time resident of Charles County, in White Plains, MD where he lived for 47 years until his death. Drag racing at Maryland International Raceway and NASCAR racing were major passions in his life. He was recently inducted in to the 2013 the Hall of Fame "in recognition of his outstanding dedication and accomplishments" at Maryland International Raceway. He was an active member in the Tri-County Cruisers Custom Car Club and the Brandywine Lions Club. Every holiday season he distributed food baskets to needy families in Charles, and Prince George's Counties. He was an alumni member of the Southern Knights and Free State Custom Car Clubs. Taking care of his wife, children, and grandchildren and spending time with his friends had been of paramount importance to him. He lived a rewarding life. In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death, on June 7, 2010, by his wife Alice Marie (Hamilton) Wood whom he married June, 4, 1965. He is survived by two children; Carol Ann Selvage and her husband Tommy of Bryans Road, MD and Joseph G. Wood Jr. and his wife Janelle of Myrtle Beach, SC and grandchildren; Christine A. Cline of Waldorf, MD and Deborah A. Cline of Blacksburg, VA and four sisters; Connie Piotrowski, of Dundalk, MD, Catherine Quade of Hollywood, MD, Dancy (Rodney) Crawford of Weatherford, TX and Robin Knott of Mulberry, FL, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 9AM until time of Funeral Service at 11AM at Raymond Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Maryland. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851.

Joseph Wood, Sr.

August 24, 1935 - November 12, 2012