<b>YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea</b> - The Yongsan community mourned John Wood III during a memorial service Memorial Chapel Aug. 4.
Wood, director of U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Music and Theatre Branch since 1998, died July 23 after a sudden illness and subsequent heart failure.
"John Wood was a quiet, competent professional who touched the hearts of so many," USAG-Yongsan Commander Col. Dave Hall told those who gathered at the service. "He was one of the most selfless people I have ever known. He made a significant difference in this community, and left his mark in this world. My family and I are so very proud to have known him as a co-worker and a friend, and this garrison will always remember him as one of our finest."
Wood was born July 18, 1950, in Campbellsville, Ky. He is survived by three cousins and two aunts.
Performing arts was in Wood's blood. As a young boy, his mother, an accomplished artist, would read poetry to him. As soon as he learned to read, he continued reading poetry with a passion.
He was active in theater in high school and took that passion to college, earning a degree in theater from Southern Illinois University, in 1974.
Wood then joined the Army and was stationed at U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan until 1977, worked in the same program he eventually came back to manage. Wood left the Army to perform in a touring theater group in southern Kentucky before joining the Fort Knox community theater where he served for 17 years.
Wood served one year in Bosnia, 1996-1997, then took an assignment back to Yongsan.
Yongsan officials said memorial contributions in Wood's name can be made by donating your time, talents and support to a local community theater program.