Thomas Evans Wood

Thomas E. "Tommy" Wood, 56, of Orangefield, Texas moved to his Heavenly home on May 10, 2014, getting there just in time to be with his mother on her first Mother's Day in Heaven. Tommy is celebrating being re-united, also, with his father and many other loved ones. He was born June 29, 1957 in Port Arthur, Texas to Leonard Olney Wood and Verna Ethel Bodden Wood (Clifton). He lived in Port Arthur most of his life, but also spent a number of years living in Grand Cayman, where his parents were born and raised. Tommy was a heavy equipment and marine mechanic -- both in this community and in Grand Cayman. While in Cayman, he also worked and enjoyed life in the water sports industry. He purchased a 35' catamaran in the Mobile area and then sailed it to Cayman, where he operated the "Fantasy Express," providing tourists with a true Caymanian experience. Tommy's love of life was contagious, as he brought fun and laughter to anyone who was near him. He showed the ultimate courage during the past 1-1/2 years while battling cancer, with an unwavering faith that had grown stronger after marrying his best friend, Ronda. Throughout his cancer journey, Tommy's Christian faith was most evident, as he spent a great deal of time each day reading scriptures, listening to television and radio evangelists and talking to his Heavenly Father in prayer. His family was most proud of him for immersing himself in reading his Bible from cover-to-cover in a very short period of time, and he often quoted scriptures that meant a great deal to him. He brought such peace to himself and his family by quickly reassuring everyone -- "me and God we're good with each other!" Tommy is survived by his wife, Ronda; his brother Leonard Wood; sister Verna Rutherford and husband Cal; step-sons, Mason, Taylor and Hunter Merritt; granddaughter Maddy Merritt; nephew Michael Wood; great-niece Jenna Wood; mother-in-law, Nell Brightwell and his mother's sister, Aunt Velona Woods. His many other family members and a multitude of friends, were all so very special to Tommy. A visitation for family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, May 18, 2014 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves, followed by a Celebration of Tommy's life at 2:00 p.m. with Chaplin Linda Shiflet officiating. Tommy loved children and was an avid NASCAR fan. In honor of those passions -- and in honor of terminally ill children who receive services through Victory Junction organization, those wishing to make memorial contributions might consider sending them via: www.victoryjunction.org or to St. Jude's Hospital via: www.stjude.org .