Leonard Norman Wood, Sr.

Leonard Norman Wood, Sr. 79, of Midland, peacefully passed away on Friday, February 4, 2005 after a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 7, 2005 at 2:00 pm at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel with Ronnie Williams officiating. A burial and Masonic graveside service will be held at the Tool Cemetery in Tool, TX on Wednesday, February 9, 2005 at 11:00 am. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 3800 N. Big Spring Street on Sunday, February 6, 2005 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.Leonard was born February 8, 1925 to Leonard Carl Wood and Linnie Ann Meazell Wood in the northwest Henderson County farming community of Tool, Texas near the banks of the Trinity River. He attended schools in Mabank and Tool before enlisting in the United States Navy during World War II. He married his lifetime sweetheart, Chloe Jane Columbus on January 12, 1943 in Corpus Christi, Texas. During his naval career his tours of duty included Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California, the USS Prince William (CVE-31), and as a member of the permanent Shore Patrol, Naval Station San Diego, California before his honorable discharge from active duty in 1946. Upon his naval discharge, he and Jane returned home to Texas and settled in West Texas. He spent the next 45 years working in the oil field business spanning every aspect of this industry from roughneck to corporate security. He was a Texas Certified Law Enforcement Peace Officer. In 1963 he founded The Branding Association of the United States, working with every level of law enforcement, revolutionizing the recovery of oil field equipment thefts. He retired in 1992, as the Director of Security for Union Texas Petroleum Company of Houston, having spent several years travelling around the world in this capacity. He was a loyal and dedicated member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Charter Member and Past Master and Past Master Pro-Team of Acacia Lodge #1414, Midland Lodge #623, Sitting Senior Deacon of the Centennial Lodge #1448, Lubbock Scottish Rite and Midland York Rite Bodies, The Suez Midland Shrine Club, the Midland Shrine Golf Unit, Life Member of the Suez Marching Patrol, Suez Provost Guard and Director's Staff, Ambassador to the Blue Lodge, Charter Member and Past President of the 81st Masonic District's Masters, Wardens and Secretaries Assn, and served as the Editor of the MWS Newsletter and Calendar each month. He was the beneficiary of many awards including receiving his 50-Year Service Award in December 2000 at the Grand Lodge Waco, along with the Groebl Award, Provost Marshall State of Texas, and the Golden Trowel Award. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter-in-law, Jeddy Bridgeman Wood. Mr. Wood is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Chloe Jane Wood of Midland, two sons and their wives, Leonard Jr. and Alice Wood of Midland, and Mike and Kathy Wood of Greenville, five grandchildren and their spouses, Meredith and husband Michael Anderson of McKinney, Tracie Wood of Midland, Jeffrey and wife Amy Wood of McKinney, Paul and Erika Wood of Copperas Cove, and Daniel Wood of Midland; four great grandchildren, Kelsey Wood of Midland, Caroline Anderson, Sydney Anderson and Landon Wood all of McKinney; sister Patsy Blair of Midland; four nephews, Mark Blair of Midland, Bobby Blair of Maine, Hugh Blair of Washington, and Greg Blair of Midland. He will be truly missed by his many lifelong friends in the law enforcement community along with his Masonic and Shrine families.Pallbearers will be Jeff Wood, Sgt. Paul Wood, Daniel Wood, Michael Anderson, Greg Blair, Bobby Blair, Hugh Blair. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ronnie Williams, Ed Ward, and Members of his Dialysis Transportation Team and all members of the Masonic Lodges. A special word of gratitude for thier loving care is given to Dr. Larry Oliver and the staff of the Permian Basin Dialysis Center, The ICU and 4th floor nurses and staff of Midland Memorial Hospital and Semper Care Hospital.The family suggests memorials be made to the Scottich Rite Children's Hospital 2222 Welborn St. Dallas, TX 75219 or to The Shriner's Burn Center for Children, 815 Market St., Galveston, TX 77550-2725.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,