Hal Wood

Thomas Halliburton (Hal) Wood passed away on July 29, 2020, in the comfort of his home.

He was born in Monroe, La on August 20, 1955. His childhood years were in Jackson, Mississippi; Austin, Texas and Nashville, Tennessee. Hal was on the River Hills swim team in Jackson and on the wrestling team where he graduated at Hillwood High in Nashville. He won the state championship “All Around Tennessee Cowboy” title in 1973. That year, he successfully competed at the National High School Rodeo finals in steer wrestling and bareback riding. He was awarded a rodeo scholarship at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. He later graduated from Auburn University, earning his B.S. degree in Environmental and Agricultural engineering. He then competed in the bareback riding on a professional level for several years in the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association).

Hal was employed by CP&Y consulting engineer firm; he led the solid waste practice. He worked with many cities in the Southeast region of the country, assisting with landfill requirements and assessing damaged infrastructures.  He enjoyed western poetry, music, traveling, riding horses and spending the evenings in his barn watching the sunset with his wife. Hal will be most remembered by his sincerity, loyalty, tenacity, gentle nature and loving heart.

Hal survived by his loving wife who adored him, Teresa (Kinney) Wood; two children Luke Wood (wife Victoria), Lydia Carraway (husband Koy); grandson Callen Carraway; stepchildren Victoria Daugherty (Caleb & son Caven), Garrett Roach; two brothers, William A. Wood (Ellen), Daniel Wood (Barbara) and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Hal in death is his father, William C. Wood and mother, Virginia Velle Young.

Funeral services will be at 11am on Monday August 3, 2020 at Johnson Funeral home with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery in Lake Charles, LA. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home from 4-7pm on Sunday August 2, 2020 with a rosary at 6pm. Due to the current state regulations, the visitation and funeral service will be invitation only. Limited on crowd capacity due to Covid-19. Masks are required.