Frank N. Wood, Jr.

A memorial service will be held at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ on Saturday, June 23 at 11am for Frank North Wood, Jr., age 79, of Washington, who died on June 20, 2018 at Mercy Hospital in Washington.  A visitation reception will be held from 4-7pm on Friday, June 22, at the Miller Funeral Home.

Frank was born on September 24, 1938 in Washington, the son of Frank North Wood, Sr. and Lois Clark Wood, both of whom preceded him in death.

He graduated from Washington High School and married Ruth Ann Hausmann in 1956, a marriage in its 62^nd year.

Frank worked for Washington Oil Company from 1958-73, Hazel from 1973-83, and Enduro Binders from 1983-89 and owned two Minute Man Press stores from 1989-2002.

He is survived by his wife Ruth; daughters Wendy Jo (Bob) Zick, Sandra Lynn (Bob) Meyer, Susan Kay (Steve) Harms and Patricia Jane Wood; sons Dr. Frank North Wood III (Kelly) and Michael Ross Wood (Jeanne); nine grandchildren, Alison Zick Francis (Jeff), Kyle Zick (Maggie), Krista Meyer, Anna Meyer, Erin Wood Wesselschmidt (Jeff), Jessie, Megan and Kasey Wood, and Zachary Harms; eight great-grandchildren, Tyler, Nathan, Grant and Gwen Francis, Hadley, Brody, and Ethan Zick, and August Wesselschmidt; brother Tom Wood (Julie) of Chesterfield, sister Nancy Wood of Washington, sisters-in-law Betty Dunn of California and Lois Carter of Florida and brother-in-law Jim Hausmann of Mexico also survive.

Frank lived a good and fruitful life devoted to family, church and the Washington community. He and Ruth were active in the Washington High School Athletic Association, in which he was a charter member, filmed “away” football games for many years and ran the clock for home football games from 1969-2005. As a member of the Washington High School Band Boosters from 1970-82, he ran the clock for the Band Festival from 1972-2006.

He was a member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, serving on many church boards and committees and as Council President in 1994.

He served on the Washington School Board from 1969-84, including secretary for more than 10 years and president in 1982 and 1983. He was active in the Washington Jaycees from 1958-73, serving as treasurer, secretary and president, then State Vice President 1962-63 and National Director 1963-64.

Frank served on the steering committee to establish East Central Junior College in 1967, served as Franklin County Charter Commission Chairman from 2007-09, and served on the Franklin County Equalization Board from 2009 until his death. Frank also served on the committee to establish nonpartisan elections in Washington. He helped deliver Meals on Wheels as a volunteer for many years.

Frank was a former member of the Washington Rotary Club, and held memberships in the Washington Elks, Washington Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Moolah Shrine.

He was named Outstanding Jaycee Vice President in 1963 and won the Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Association Volunteer Distinguished Service Award in 1996.

In 2010, Frank and Ruth were named to the School District of Washington WINGS Hall of Honor as Community Contributors.

Frank and Ruth took particular delight in the accomplishments of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  They could be seen regularly at Washington school events, even when it might have been in a sport, such as soccer, that Frank said he never understood. However, he was as excited as anyone when grandson Zachary Harms was a member of the WHS state runner-up soccer team in 2017.

Tuesday mornings were big times at Frank and Ruth’s home when daughters Sandy and Susan would bring the great-grandkids to “GG and grandpa’s” house. He would sit in his favorite recliner and watch the bedlam with a smile on his face -- a constant whenever his kids, grandkids or great-grandkids were around.

Frank was known as a bit of a jokester with his many friends, and he was a voracious reader who stayed abreast of local and national events. He was a regular at the Washington YMCA where he said he “worked out” but others said he might be more likely to visit with friends. He was also a regular coffee club member at Cowan’s restaurant where most local and world problems were “solved.” 

Frank loved his family, the city of Washington, and the Washington Blue Jays.

The family has asked that any memorials be given to St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Washington Historical Society and Washington High School Athletic Association.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frank N. Wood, Jr., please visit our floral store.