Claude Esco Wood

Claude Esco Wood, 74, of 100 Ash Street, Bristol, died Sunday, April 27, 2008 at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He was a native of Dante, Virginia, son of the late, Samuel McCall and Ordie Hicks Wood. Claude had worked as a machinist for the North American Ratheon Corporation. He attended the Edgemont Towers Ministry and was a former member of both the American Legion and the Moose Club of Abingdon. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Sam Wood, Jr. and John Wood; four sisters, Louise Parrott, Mildred Griffith, Lelia Dickenson and Janice Dillow. Claude had a special relationship with his nieces and nephews, they along with all who knew him will remember his gift for telling jokes and making people laugh. In his younger years in Southwest Virginia he was known for being a homerun hitter in baseball and loved sports all of his life. He also loved the Lord Jesus Christ and now rests safely with him. Survivors include: two brothers and sisters-in-law, Gorge and Trula Wood of Bluff City, James and Carol Wood of Abingdon, Virginia; a sister, Joyce Keith of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; a devoted friend, Dot Morrison of Bluff City. A funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. in the North Chapel of the Morris '' Baker Funeral Home under the direction of Rev. Jack Bowery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until time of service at eight. A committal service will be conducted on Wednesday, April 29, 2008 in the Mt. Home National Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. Military honors will be provided by the Kingsport VFW #3382 and the Tennessee National Guard. Pallbearers will be the Honor Guard. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the funeral home to leave in procession at 9:30 a.m. Memorials may be made in the form of contributions to the American Cancer Society, 508 Princeton Road, Ste. 102, Johnson City, TN 37601.