Jerry J. Wood

Jerry J. Wood, 74, Walker, Mo., passed away on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, at Cedar County Hospital, El Dorado Springs, Mo., after a battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 26, 1934, in Nevada, the son of Everett Ernest Wood and Mary Anna Atherton Wood. He married Helen Yazel on Sept. 20, 1958, in Nevada, and she survives of the home.

Jerry was born and raised in Nevada and graduated from Nevada High School. He served 11 1/2 years in the United States Navy in both active and reserve duty. He received the Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Medal, National Defense Medal, Expert Rifleman Medal, Korean State Medal, State of Missouri Medal and Service Medal. Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the United States Navy, he was an E5.

Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, spending time with members of his family and friends. He was also well known for telling jokes and making people laugh. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Jerry worked for many years at Subway Garage in Nevada, then later worked at the Nevada Habilitation Center until he retired in 1991.

He is survived by his wife, Helen Wood of Walker; his children, Julie Nikodim and her husband Darrel, Nevada; Lori Wood, Nevada; Troy Wood and his wife Donna, Walker; Diana Robertson and her husband Curtis, Carthage, Mo.; and one sister, Dora Garrett, El Dorado Springs; grandchildren, Lacey Nikodim, Brian Nikodim and his wife Sabrina, Keenan Hergert and his wife Whitney, Kelsey Wood, and Rheonna Wood Beckman; great-grandchildren, Corbin Washburn, Kloey Hergert and Brooklyn Nikodim; three brothers-in-law, Lowell Yazel and his wife Ann, Nevada, Richard Yazel and his wife Marilyn, Nevada, and Milton Junior Yazel, Walnut Grove, Mo., and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his mother and father, Everett and Mary Wood, Walker; one brother, Bill Wood, Abilene, Texas, and one sister, Mina Bray, Walker.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with pastor David Rorabaugh officiating. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society in care of Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada, MO 64772.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.