John Evans Wood

CARLSBAD —

John Evans Wood passed away peacefully of natural causes on March 6, 2021, at Glenbrook Health Center, La Costa Glen, Carlsbad, CA.

John and Pud moved from La Mesa to La Costa Glen in 2011, where they enjoyed many happy days together as retirees. As John’s symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease progressed, he moved to Memory Care at La Costa Glen, a caring place, close to Pud, family, and friends. Pud and their dog, Alfie, visited often, and John was able to join the family for dinners. As his condition continued to progress and he needed more care, he moved to the skilled nursing unit, where he passed, just short of 94.

John was born and raised in Highland Park, Illinois. He had two older brothers, Howard and Edward. As a boy, he excelled in many sports, including ice hockey, water polo, running, swimming, track, tennis, and football. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at 13 years of age. As a high school senior, he made the All State football team. He was eager to serve the country during WWII, and he enlisted in the Navy the day after his HS graduation. During his time in the Navy, he was recruited to the sport of boxing for the Camp Sheldon Team. His record of wins was 13/1.

With the end of WWII, he started college at Bradley 1927 - 2021

University in Peoria, Illinois, where he was recruited to play football. The story goes that his timing for enrollment was so tight, he had to sleep in another student’s garage until he could secure housing. After one semester, he transferred to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. John took up boxing again and excelled in the New England Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournaments. He thought about going pro, but his mother said, “No way, get back in school!”. So he finished college at the University of Illinois, graduating with a degree in Economics.

After a few years of working in Chicago, he headed west and landed in Denver, Colorado, and began working for John Hancock Life insurance. There, through mutual friends, he met Pud, Margaret Jean Towner, his soon-to-be wife. Pud had recently moved to Denver from Iowa to start a new life as a young Air Force widow with her son, Johnny. Pud was

wooed, and in no time, they eloped to Colorado Springs and had a one-night honeymoon at the Broadmoor. Two more children were born, Cindy in 1955 and Kent in 1958. Another baby came along in 1964, Marinell.

John opened a “scratch” John Hancock Agency in Billings, Montana in 1959. About a year later, the San Diego Hancock Agency was seeking a general agent, John was hired and he moved the family to San Diego. He worked tirelessly to make the San Diego Agency successful and was written about in the Wall Street Journal as one of the first GAS who hired women as insurance agents. He attained his CLU and Chfc designations and was highly regarded as an honest and trustworthy professional.

For sport he played handball at the San Diego Athletic Club, where he enjoyed friendships and competition for many years. After the SDAC closed, he started playing at the Downtown “Y” and soon became a loyal and generous donor, serving on the board for 48 years. John had a personal mission to help at-risk youth in San Diego by providing opportunities through the YMCA. When he retired from the board, the Y named the pool area “The John E Wood Swim Pavilion” to honor and thank him for his years of service and generosity. Another notable achievement was his financial support to the St. Stevens Christian School in San Diego.

John was an attentive and dedicated father to his children. He was a master at engaging his kids in activities that he enjoyed as a venue for helping them to grow and learn the values he championed.

John was the backbone and strength of his entire family, providing support, guidance, and love to his mother, his two brothers, and his nieces and nephew throughout their lives. His son Johnny, preceded him in death in 1973.

During retirement, John and Pud enjoyed many interests together, including lots of golf, hiking, fishing, and traveling. Until the very end, he needed and desired Pud, his wife of 67 years, to be consistently by his side.

John Evans Wood was an extraordinary entrepreneur and businessman. Most importantly, he was the most loving, caring, and conscientious son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend. We are all so grateful for his goodness, his strength, his sense of humor and his love. John is survived by his beloved Pud, three loving children, and five loving grandchildren. Rest in peace, John Evans Wood, know that you are forever loved.

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