-
In loving memory
Mr. Harrill Douglas Wood, 79, of Talking Rock died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021.
He was born in Hayesville, N.C., at the company sawmill to James (Jim) and Hazel Kitchens Wood. The family came to Gilmer County with Genette Lumber Company.
He graduated from Gilmer High School, class of 1960, moved to Lakeland, Fla., and attended Florida Southern. He continued college at Georgia State when he took a position at Georgia State Health Department and joined the Marine Corp Reserve.
Most of his career was in food production. He started as a plant manager with Canada Dry. He then moved to Coca-Cola in the quality control department, continuing on with quality control for Dixie Foods and Hannover Brands in Pennsylvania.
He joined Planters Peanuts with their research and development division. He is listed on the patent for the honey roasted peanuts.
He moved his family back to Gilmer County after developing several health food products. He became a USDA inspector. After retirement, he started Heart Smart, a heart patient supply group. He then developed and also patented a CPR device.
He is survived by brother, Robert E. Wood and wife, Vincey Wood; sister-in-law Clara Wood; son, Sidney May and wife, Frances; daughter, Susan Mears and husband, Lee; granddaughter, Camelle May and husband, Daryl Victoro; grandsons, Hudsun May and wife, Anna Jester, Lee Mears Jr., John Mears and James Mears; and great-grandchildren, Sonia May Victoro and Francisco May Victoro.
A graveside service was held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, from the Yukon Cemetery.
Bernhardt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.