He was born September 18, 1925 in Carteret, N.J., a son of the late Allen Kelsey, Sr. and the Sarah Addie Simpson Wood. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, currently a member of Clemson United Methodist Church. As a Methodist he had served on official boards, as trustee, as Sunday School Superintendent, Teacher, and choir member for over 50 years.
Between attending Georgia Tech and Clemson A & M College, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II between 1942 and 1945. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Clemson in 1946 with a degree in Textile Engineering and a minor in Chemistry. He was a member of National Honorary Freshman Society, of Phi Kappi Psi, National Honorary Textile Fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, and the National Social Fraternity.
After graduation he went to work for Abney Mills of Belton, SC and Davidson Chemical Company of Bartow, FL. Later he worked 30 years at E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Co. of Seaford, DL and Kinston, NC and retired to Anderson, SC. He later moved to Clemson, SC.
He enjoyed stamp collecting, genealogy, golf, and everything Clemson. He was a member of IPTAY for 69 years, the Clemson Legends Society, and the Civitan Club.
Surviving are three sons, Allen Wood, III (Carmen) of Palm Bay, FL, Robert Wood (Dagmar) of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, and Joseph Wood, Sr. (Carolyn) of Elon, NC, seven grandchildren, Michael Wood, Sr.(Tiffany), James Wood (Cinnamon), Kelsey Wood (Stephen), Bryan Wood (Nicky), Joseph Wood, Jr. (Christine), Robin Wood, and Darren Wood, eight great-grandchildren, Michael Wood, Jr., Lyla Rose Wood, Eleanor Wood, Henry Wood, Alice Wood, Zane Noland, Barrett Wood, and Charlotte Wood.
He was pre-deceased by his wife, parents, two brothers, Ralph Wood and Tommy Wood, and a sister Mabel Marie Norman Clary.
A graveside service will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Greenwood Memorial Gardens with Rev. Fran Elrod officiating. A memorial service will be at 3 P,M. held on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Clemson United Methodist Church Worship Center with Rev. Fran Elrod officiating.
The family will receive friends following the Memorial Service at the Church. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to IPTAY at Clemson University, 1 Avenue of Champions, Clemson, SC 29634. GO TIGERS!! Online condolences may be made at www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com
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