Thomas Elliott “Doc” Wood Jr., 82, of Lebanon, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
Born in Uniontown, he was the son of the late Thomas Wood Sr. and Virginia Claybaugh Wood. His life started on a large cattle farm in Fayette City alongside his father and uncle. He furthered his education after high school at St. Vincent College. After college, he joined the U.S. Army, where he would trade in his cowboy boots and hat for Army fatigues and marching boots. He would spend the next 31 years serving his country. Upon retiring from the Army at Fort Indiantown Gap, as a Command Sergeant Major, he would spend the next 12 years at Reservation Maintenance running the base he served at.
He met his wife of 45 years while with the 876 Engineers in Finleyville. It started with a simple note, and the rest is history. While there, he oversaw the building of Bailey’s Bridge after the Johnstown Flood. From there, he moved to Fort Indiantown Gap, where he started Region 1 NCO school and oversaw the building of Sergeants Grove, which was one of his prides and joys.
Doc had a deep love for his military career, where to know him was either to love him or hate him. He was well known for his signature one-finger salute greeting. He enjoyed his time spent running through the base, and his fellow military men and women often referred to him as one of the best bosses they ever had the privilege of working with. Outside of work, you could find him on the dance floor or enjoying time on his boat.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, Donna, are his children, Thomas Wood, of ELCO, and Amy, wife of Jack Hinton, of Annville. He also had five grandchildren, Ty Wood, Kyle and Ryan Hinton, and Matthew and Michael Harrison. Preceding him in passing was his son, Joseph Harrison.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a graveside service at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, 60 Indiantown Gap Road, Annville, PA 17003, on Friday, May 8, 2026, beginning promptly at 9:30 a.m. with full military honors rendered.
Those desiring may send memorial contributions in Doc’s memory to Raven Ridge Wildlife Center or The Humane Society of Lebanon County.
