"Coach" Russell Wood

"Coach" Russell Wood, 90, of Point Pleasant, passed away peacefully Monday, February 28, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. He was a long time educator, coach and much loved member of the Point Pleasant community since 1967. He was born May 16, 1931 in McCreery, WV, a son of the late Charles R. Wood and Mary Josephine (Roche) Wood. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters. Coach was a 1950 graduate of Mt. Hope High School, Korean War Veteran of the United States Navy 1951-1954, and graduated from West Virginia Institute of Technology in 1958. He taught high school at Parkersburg in 1959, St. Mary's High School 1960-1967, Point Pleasant High School 1967-1993.At St. Mary's he helped coach the undefeated unscored upon football team.He moved with his family to Point Pleasant in 1967 and continued teaching social studies and coaching sports until his retirement in 1993.During his years of teaching he coached many different sports but his love was always football.He was fiercely competitive and loved a good golf game.He always enjoyed his morning Tudors visits and telling stories with his friends and he had a contagious laugh that could be heard wherever he was. He was a member of Minturn Lodge No. 19 AF & AM of Point Pleasant, Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, Stewart-Johnson VFW Post 9926 of Mason, American Legion Post 23 of Point Pleasant and Trinity United Methodist Church where he was a member for over 50 years. Coach is survived by his children, Rusty Wood (Coni Roese) of Point Pleasant, Sharon Clark of Newark, OH, Kelly Porter (J.R. Wright) of Gallipolis and Beth Patterson of Fredericksburg, VA; nine grandchildren, Kristian, Troy, Josh, Seth, Kayla, Terra, Uriah, Allison and Jacob, as well as 12 great-grandchildren; and his companion of over 27 years, Rebecca Worley. The family would like to give a special thanks to Hospice of Huntington for their compassion and care. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the Wilcoxen Funeral Home in Point Pleasant, with Pastor Jeff Anderson officiating.Burial will follow at the Kirkland Memorial Gardens in Point Pleasant, where military graveside honors will be given by the Stewart-Johnson VFW Post 9926 of Mason and the United States Navy Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family and memories may be shared by visiting www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com.