More detail on this person: John Leonard Wood June 11, 1937 - January 1, 2020 t. Col. John Leonard Wood, born 1937 to Mary Olys and Robert Wood Sr, in Baltimore, died on January 1, 2020, in Towson, Maryland. He was 82. He graduated from the former St. Charles High School of Baltimore in 1954 and from Loyola University in Baltimore in 1958. The son of a World War I combat solder, he joined the U.S. Army in 1959, serving with distinction as a Regular Army officer until 1979, retiring as a Lt. Col. Serving heroically for two years in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, Lt. Col. Wood was shot down twice in action and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross three separate times. His many awards detail selfless acts of skill and bravery, executing aerial maneuvers to extract ground troops while under "heavy enemy automatic weapons fire" and taking "direct hits." Qualified in different types of aircraft, he guided them "to cover the company when it came under immediate contact with the enemy force, exhibiting superb flying skill, exceptional valor, and exemplary devotion to his fellow fighting man." He was awarded for "commanding unique tactics in flight patterns for his team and completely confusing the enemy gunners" and being "heedless of his own safety." Lt. Col. Wood also served two years in Laos as a U.S. Army Attaché from 1974 to 1976. He earned an MBA from Georgia Southern University in 1972. He remained active in Vietnam War associations and publications. Lt. Col. Wood began a civil airport career in 1981 with the Maryland Aviation Administration, advancing to Associate Administrator - Operations, responsible for managing Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Airport and oversight of aeronautical activities at 39 other public-use airports in Maryland. Wood was also a long-time aviation consultant, designing airport security for 34 airports and 3 air carriers. He had extensive knowledge of computerized/automated system technical design and construction/installation, and was principal of Condor Aviation. He served as an appointee for three terms on the aviation security committee of the Federal Transportation Research Board, and contributed to airport industry security issues through other national committees, including AAAE, ACI, and ACC. Lt. Col. Wood was a devoted family man. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Patricia Doyle Wood, whom he married in 1981; was the cherished and very involved father to Maura Wood Vonasek and Stephanie Wood LaLumiere and step-father to S. Jay Demarco IV, Suzanne Demarco Ferris, Stephen F. Demarco, Scott C. Demarco. He also had a special bond with his nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Beloved brother of sisters Mary Ann Wood, SSND and Mary Joseph Griffin, both of Towson; and two brothers who pre-deceased him: Robert L. Wood Jr and Thomas O. Wood. He was cherished by his nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Arrangements are by Ruck Funeral Home, 1050 York Road, Towson, MD 21204 (410) 823-1700. Viewing is on January 7, 2020, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. Burial with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the St Vincent de Paul Society (410) 547-5582.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery
This information was last updated 10/26/2022
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Date posted on this site: 04/13/2025
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