On July 6, 2016, Harless Lincoln Wood of Meadows of Dan slipped from the bonds of this earth and is now in the loving embrace of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He was born on October 20, 1916, in Meadows of Dan to Rufus V. And Bertha Boyd Wood. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army, serving in the Battery B, 978th Field Artillery Battalion in Europe during World War II. He earned the Bronze Star Award and was especially proud of receiving the Good Conduct Award.
After the war, he married the love of his life, Blanche Pratt, on December 22, 1949. He loved the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and began his career in 1953 with the National Park Service, working on the Blue Ridge Parkway; he retired in 1980.
He happily continued a life of service to others throughout his life. He was a well-known basket maker, having created literally thousands of handmade oak baskets that many family, friends, and even strangers continue to treasure. He was a strong Christian man; he was a lifelong member of Mountain View United Methodist Church, but he also faithfully attended Harris Chapel United Methodist Church for many years; he loved both congregations.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Annie P. Wood; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Jerry Wood; George and Claudia Wood; Ed and Muriel Wood; Benton Wood; and sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Wesley Belcher.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Blanche Pratt Wood of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Noel and Rhonda Catron Wood, and Gary and Karen Linenkugel Wood, all of Floyd; one granddaughter and spouse, Kaitlyn and Scott Loghry, and one great-grandson, Carter Alan Loghry of Port Angeles, Wash.; one sister and brother-in-law, Lillian and Sam Belcher of Woolwine; one sister-in-law, Claudine Wood, of Meadows of Dan; many nieces and nephews, and lifelong special friends and neighbors, Evona Helms and Lavoy Bray.
The family extends sincere appreciation to Harless’ many family and friends, as well as the dedicated caregivers and neighbors at Commonwealth Assisted Living in Hillsville and the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice.
The funeral service was held on Saturday, July 9, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Mountain View United Methodist Church in Meadows of Dan with Pastor Marcus Wood officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Military rights were conducted by the Patrick County Veterans’ Memorial Honor Guard.
Memorial donations be made to Mountain View United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Richard Wood, 441 Busted Rock Road, Meadows of Dan, Va. 24120; Mountain View United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 156, Meadows of Dan, Va. 24120; or to Harris Chapel United Methodist Church, c/o Cindy Ryan, P.O. Box 365, Floyd, Va. 24091.
Arrangements were by Moody Funeral Home in Stuart. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
