John Leland Wood

John Leland Wood was born in Macon on February 15, 1943, and died of complications of Parkinson’s Disease on Saturday, September 17, 2022.  There will be a visitation held at Hart’s Mortuary on Cherry St. on Monday, September 19, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  A graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery Northgate, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. with the Reverend Sam Lamback officiating. The family may be contacted at the residence. 

John attended schools in Macon, from Miss Duffy’s Playhouse through Lanier High School, graduating in 1961.  He graduated from Emory University (BA) and the University of Georgia (MS, Ph.D.) and was offered a post-doctoral fellowship while at UGA.  He was a member of Sigma Nu as well as the honorary societies Psi Xi and Phi Delta Kappa, and was a member of the Georgia Psychological Association, the Southeaster Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, and the Eastern Educational Research Association. He held teaching positions at the University of Georgia and Mercer University.  John joined Charlie Wood Sporting Goods (Imagewear) in 1977 and became president in 1983, holding that position until the business was sold in 2010.  After retirement he worked with Volunteer Macon in the AmeriCorps Program. 

John was active in the Macon community in various ways.  Over the years, he was involved with the Macon Chamber of Commerce, serving on several committees including being very active with the Downtown Council.  The Chamber selected him as Small Businessperson of the Year in 2002.  Additionally, over the years he was active with the Macon Bibb County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Cherry Blossom Festival, Kids Yule Love, the board of the Macon Concert Association, the Wesleyan College Board of Visitors, Leadership Macon and the Riverside Cemetery Conservancy board.  His former memberships included the Bon Hommes, Idle Hour Club, Palaver IV, the Macon Rotary Club (a Paul Harris Fellow), the Robert Burns Society, and the Steak and Egg Supper Club. 

He is survived by his wife, Adriane Kelly Wood; sister-in-law, Doris Wood-Alexander of Athens; nephew, Lou Wood (Ponda) of Nicholson; a niece and nephew, their children, and several cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Wood and his brother Charles Wood, Jr. 

The family wishes to extend many thanks to the staff from Promedica/Heartland Hospice.  They have all been wonderfully caring and supportive during John’s extended illness.   

Donations in John’s memory may be made to the Methodist Home for Children and Youth at themethodisthome.org/donate/ or Heartland Hospice/Promedica at promedicaseniorcare.org/giving.  All kind expressions of remembrance are greatly appreciated. 

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences. 

Hart’s on Cherry Street, Hart's Mortuary and Cremation Center, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 has charge of the arrangements. 

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