Marshall Lynn Wood, 84, of Beaumont died Thursday, April 5, 2007 after and extended illness.
A native and life long resident of Beaumont, Marshall was born February 11, 1923 and graduated from Beaumont High School in 1940. Marshall was also in the United States Army having served in World War II, with an Honorable Discharge in 1946. He was also the owner and operator of Woods Fabrication.
In his late teens, at the beginning of World War II, Mr. Wood worked as a welder and “lay-out man” at the Pennsylvania Shipyard. He joined the United States Army and served his country for three years until 1946, when he received an Honorable Discharge. His tour of duty with Battery “A” of the 404th Field Artillery Battalion took him to France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Manila, and the Philippine Islands. He was awarded the following decorations: American Theater Campaign Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Service Stripe, and Overseas Service Bar.
After the War, Mr. Wood returned to work at Bethlehem Steel. He later established his own company, Wood’s Welding Works, eventually renamed Wood’s Steel Fabrication. He built his original fabrication facility at 1250 Gulf Street, then built and operated expanded facilities on Walden Road until his retirement.
His hobbies included model boat construction, playing pool, power boating, and flying. Mr. Wood was a former member of the Elks Lodge, the Beaumont Yacht Club, the Beaumont Power Squadron, and the Civil Air Patrol.
In recent years, articles have appeared in local Beaumont newspapers regarding Mr. Wood’s talent and love for building large, finely detailed, model replicas of World War II ships and landing craft. Currently on display at Beaumont’s Tyrrell Historic Library, is his 7 foot model of the C1A cargo ship, “Cape Hatteras”, sister ship to the “Cape Porpoise”, which Mr. Wood originally worked on during his early years at the Pennsylvania Shipyard. As Mr. Wood researched plans to build a model of the C1A a few years ago, he learned that the original “Cape Hatteras” was commissioned and dedicated to his late brother, Earl B. Wood, who was killed during a World War II bomber training mission. Another model of a World War II landing craft, also built by Mr. Wood, was recently on exhibit at the Silsbee World War II Memorial Museum.
He is survived by his four daughters and their spouses, Judia Wood Sarich and spouse Rudy Sarich, Sharon Wood Zaal and spouse Tom Zaal, Barbara Wood Shipper and spouse Ted Shipper, and Linda Sue Wood Schiesler (late husband Edward Schiesler); thirteen grandchildren, Christina Sarich, Angela Sarich, Jessica Lackey Lu, Brad Lackey, Matt Lackey, Tiffany Shipper, Timothy Shipper, Darrel Schiesler, Melissa Schiesler, Cheryl Wood Finch, Brenda Wood Brent, Michael Wood, Mark Wood; thirteen great-grandchildren, Courtney Brent, Kayla Brent, Kirsten Brent, Jacob Brent, Katelyn Finch, Justin Finch, Alissa Heitman, Colton Sarich, Brandon Wood, Jared Wood, Elizabeth Wood, Hannah Wood, and Michael Wood Jr.. Marshall was preceded in death by his wife of forty-six years, Lorane Lowery Wood, father, Otis Lafayette Wood; mother, Weber Louise (Sims) Wood; son, Gordon Wood; brothers, Earl Wood and Joe Wood.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 9, 2007 at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont with burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 8, 2007 at the mortuary.