Thomas Halliburton “Hal” Wood passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in the comfort of his home.
He was born in Monroe on Aug. 20, 1955. His childhood years were in Jackson, Miss.; Austin, Texas and Nashville, Tenn. Hal was on the River Hills swim team in Jackson and on the wrestling team where he graduated at Hillwood High in Nashville. He won the state championship “All Around Tennessee Cowboy” title in 1973. That year, he successfully competed at the National High School Rodeo finals in steer wrestling and bareback riding. He was awarded a rodeo scholarship at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. He later graduated from Auburn University, earning his B.S. degree in Environmental and Agricultural engineering. He then competed in the bareback riding on a professional level for several years in the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association).
Hal was employed by CP&Y consulting engineer firm; he led the solid waste practice. He worked with many cities in the Southeast region of the country, assisting with landfill requirements and assessing damaged infrastructures. He enjoyed western poetry, music, traveling, riding horses and spending the evenings in his barn watching the sunset with his wife. Hal will be most remembered by his sincerity, loyalty, tenacity, gentle nature and loving heart.
Hal is survived by his loving wife who adored him, Teresa (Kinney) Wood; two children Luke Wood (wife Victoria), and Lydia Carraway (husband Koy); grandson Callen Carraway; stepchildren Victoria Daugherty (Caleb and son Caven), Garrett Roach; two brothers, William A. Wood (Ellen), Daniel Wood (Barbara) and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Hal in death was his father, William C. Wood; and mother, Virginia Velle Young.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 3, at Johnson Funeral Home with burial following at Highland Cemetery in Lake Charles. Visitation was held at Johnson Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday Aug. 2, with a rosary at 6 p.m.
Due to the current state regulations, the visitation and funeral service were invitation only. Limited on crowd capacity due to Covid-19. Masks were required.
(Paid Memorial)