Harris Spencer Wood

Harris Spencer Wood, 83, passed away after a lengthy illness on January 4, 2021. He was born and raised in Big Spring, Texas on April 21, 1937 to George Harden Wood, Jr. and Frances Marion Gray Wood. Harris was the second-born of three siblings: George Harden Wood, III and Lynn Wood Brassell and later in life the family was joined by their sister Sis Bright Burrows, all of whom survive him. At an early age Harris discovered his passion and preternatural talent for the French horn. “The horn” as Harris referred to it was his first and lifelong love. He excelled at it and was named first chair in the Texas UIL orchestra while in high school. His academic and musical achievements secured him a full scholarship to Rice University. After his sophomore year, he played with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra for the summer and then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin. After graduating with honors from UT he joined the US Navy where he reached the rank of Commander before leaving service. While serving as Lt. Gunnery Officer aboard the Destroyer Escort USS John Willis DE1027, Harris crossed the arctic circle. He also met and married Patricia Mary Kivlehan Wood in Newport, Rhode Island. They had two children Harris Spencer Wood, Jr. and Elizabeth Martha Wood King both of whom survive him. Harris was stationed in Ann Arbor, MI and spent one year at the University of Michigan Law School while also teaching English at the University of Michigan. After he was transferred to Washington DC, he transferred to Georgetown University Law School where he graduated near the top of his class having won several American Jurisprudence Awards for contracts and other business law courses. He spent the first part of his career with El Paso Natural Gas Company. Harris later got remarried to Harriet Woodruff Rogers Wood and they were married for eighteen years. Harris continued to excel at the practice of law while still impassioned by his French horn but became aware that he was reliant on alcohol. So, in 1980 he stopped drinking entirely and joined Alcoholics Anonymous. He faithfully attended AA meetings every week for the next forty years until his health no longer allowed it. He was a founder of the Tanglewood chapter of AA in Houston, Texas where he would return every year until he could no longer travel to collect his annual sobriety coin. Of all the many achievements in his life, he was proudest to have sponsored countless people in AA in their quest to overcome alcoholism. Harris literally changed and saved the lives of over 30 people through his tireless outreach as a sponsor. He was beloved by many.

Harris moved to Alexandria, VA in 1991 where he continued his storied legal career until his retirement in 2008. He was a Master Mason and was a member of the Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, and in 1995 received his 32nd Degree in the Alexandria Valley of the Scottish Rite. He was the president of his building Marina Towers for over ten years, and joined two separate bands, one a brass quintet and the other the Mount Vernon German Band for which he served as conductor and player. His bands frequently played concerts for people in nursing homes or hospitals and he loved his fellow musicians with deep fidelity, and it was very mutual. He also became deeply involved with the Kendall Betts French Horn Camp in northern New Hampshire, where he was a participant and longstanding Board member. Finally, we would be remiss if we did not mention Harris was a lifelong and passionate fan of the Washington Football Team.

In addition to numerous friends and family who love him dearly, Harris is survived by his two children and their spouses Harris Spencer Wood Jr. and Dolores R. Wood, and Elizabeth Martha Wood King and Daniel R. King, grandchildren Zachary Joseph Wood, Daniel Spencer King, Alexandra Marie King, Isabelle Lauren King, Harris Spencer Wood III, and Keira Nicole Wood.

There will be a Celebration of Life at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel in Midland, Texas on Saturday January 23, 2021 at 1 p.m. EST followed by interment at the Trinity Memorial Park in Big Spring, Texas.  In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to your local chapters of AA and/or the Kendall Betts French Horn Camp at https://horncamp.org/product/donate/.

The family would like to specifically thank Dr. Arshan Beyzaei Arani at the Inova Mount Vernon Hospital who compassionately and thoughtfully cared for Harris in his final days.