Homedale High School

Class of 1965

    Parents of Jeff Wood

Idaho Press-Tribune

November 15, 2006

            Frederick Leslie Wood Jr.

            Frederick Leslie Wood Jr., “Fred,” 89, Homedale, died Monday, Nov. 13, 2006. He was born Aug. 10, 1917, in Carson City, Nev., to Frederick Leslie Wood and Anna Mae Mack Wood, the eldest of three children. His early life was spent in Paradise Valley and Yerington, Nev., where his father taught school. He moved to Reno and lived with his maternal grandmother and maiden aunt, Dr. Effie Mona Mack, Ph.D., while attending elementary and high school, graduating from Reno High School at the age of 14.

            At age 16, Fred was the youngest student ever to enroll at the University of Nevada. In addition to his studies, he participated in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), a program that would serve him well in his future. He then became the University’s youngest graduate in 1937 earning a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He sought work near Hawthorne, Nev., at the tungsten mine at Rawhide. There he became acquainted with the Hughes family of Mesquite, Nev. He courted and married the love of his life, Marguerite Hughes, in St. George, Utah, Sept. 14, 1938.

            On his 21^st birthday, he was awarded a U.S. Army commission and in February 1941, received orders to the Commanding Officer, Chief of Ordnance in Washington, D.C. He was later dispatched to the CBI (China-Burma-India) Theatre where he was stationed for 28 months. After retiring as a Major, he moved from Washington, D.C., back to Mesquite, where they farmed with other family members.

            In early December 1948, a house fire destroyed their home along with many cherished, worldly goods. They decided to plan a new beginning in Fruitland and resumed farming. They purchased a farm in Homedale in January, 1956, raising varied crops and registered Jersey and Hereford cattle. Fred served on several farming committees. He was very interested in education and served on a school citizens’ committee. He counseled many local high school students who were college-bound and helped many earn scholarships. He was also a member of Silver City Lodge #13, A.F.&A.M. and Silver Star Chapter #83, Order of the Eastern Star. He served as Worthy Patron for three terms.

            Fred and Rita were successful farmers for nearly 40 years. After retirement, they spent many years trapping, hunting and fishing in the Owyhee Canyonlands. At “Camp,” other family members and friends often joined them. Fred’s pride in his family was legendary. He especially enjoyed may hours spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He fostered a love of the outdoors in them.

            He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marguerite “Rita”; his sister, Helen Patricia Jean “Pat” Wood Hughes, Lutherville, Md.; a niece, Anne Mulholland Ferreira, Central Point, Ore.; his children, Frederick Leslie Wood III (Amy), Burley, Sharon Lee Nuremburg Wood, Dade City, Fla., Sheila Faye Eismann (Dan), Eagle, Roderick Barry Wood (Karen), Gooding, Sharon Lee Backus (Lynn), Thayne, Wyo., Samantha Kaye Wood (Dewey Getchell), Pacifica, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

            He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Anne Elizabeth Mulholland and son, Jeffrey Kelley Wood.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Homedale.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Homedale High School’s Scholarship Fund or the Shriners Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah.

            Fred was provided faithful and loving care at the end of his life by the staff at the Owyhee Health and Rehab Center in Homedale.

Idaho Press-Tribune

August 21, 2009

            Marguerite "Rita" Wood, 87, Caldwell, formerly of Homedale, died at a local hospital Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009. Services are pending with Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Homedale. 337-3252.