Ovia Wood

Ovia C.Wood, age 90, and resident of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away on Thursday morning in the Journey Home Hospice House, Bartlesville. Ovia Charles Wood was born in Durant, Oklahoma on March 6, 1924. He was the son of the late Otis and Effie (Hulin) Wood. After graduation from high school, he attended Iowa State University in 1942 and also attended East Central State College in Ada, Oklahoma for two years. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946, where he was stationed for 2-1/2 years in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Southern France. In June of 1946, Ovia was married to Verdice Haffner in Ceder Falls, Iowa. Two children were born to this union. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve and was Active Duty for 22 years, retiring with the rank of Major in 1968. He served two years in the Korean War, Japan and Korea, as a Forward Observer (1950-1952). After retiring from the U.S. Army, he was employed by JC Penney for 38 years, 23 of those years as a store manager, retiring in 1984. In 1984, he founded and managed the O. C. Wood Insurance Agency, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, retiring in 1996 after 12 years. On April 19, 1997, Ovia and Jamie (Quinlan) Eccleston were united in marriage and they have made their home in the Bartlesville area since that time. Ovia was very active in the communities in which he lived, serving as Mayor of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, from 1986-1987; Director of Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce (four years); and he served on the Parish Council Immaculate Conception Parish for 9-1/2 years. He was also co-founder of Mary Martha Outreach, Bartlesville, and was a past Vice-president of the Board of Directors. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to Journey Home Hospice House, 3406 S.E. Kentucky, Bartlesville, OK 74006 or Mary Martha Outreach, P.O. Box 314, Bartlesville, OK 74005. Survivors include his wife, Jamie of the family home; two children, Judy (Wood) Gann of Lakeside, Arizona and LTC Nelson Wood USA (Ret.) and his wife, Teresa, of Edmond, Oklahoma; step-children, John and Beckie Eccleston, of Rogers, Arkansas, Scott and Kelli Eccleston, of Bentonville, Arkansas, Julie and Eric Schick of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Susie Webb of Bartlesville; and 13 grandchildren.

Visitation Details

Friday, April 11th, 2014 12:00pm - 8:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home

Saturday, April 12th, 2014 9:00am - 8:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home

Sunday, April 13th, 2014 1:00pm - 7:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home

Service Details

Monday, April 14th, 2014 10:00am, St. John Before The Latin Gate

Interment Details

Calvary Cemetery