Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

February 24, 2023

CHARLOTTE – McFarland (Mac) Walker Wood, Jr., 93, passed away in Charlotte, North Carolina on Friday, February 24, 2023 with his wife and daughter by his side.  He was born October 4, 1929, in New London, Connecticut, son of Captain McFarland W. Wood, USN and Madeline B. Wood of Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Anneke; daughter, Cyndi Wood Pearce and her husband, Gary of Fort Mill, South Carolina; sister, Elizabeth Bowers of McLean, Virginia and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.  Mac was preceded in death by his son, McFarland W. Wood III in 1971.

As a career navy family, Mac lived in many places around the United States, New London Connecticut, Honolulu, Hawaii, Raleigh, North Carolina, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Norfolk, Virginia.  The family’s home was always in Hopkinsville, Kentucky where three generations of the Wood family had lived.  Just as WWII was beginning, Mac’s father bought a 50-acre farm in Hopkinsville, Kentucky from a relative.

Mac graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1952 with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.  After graduating, Mac joined the Army.  It was while he was stationed at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey that he met and married his wife Anneke (Ann) Wood (nee Brower). After being discharged from the Army with the rank of Captain, Mac worked for a short time at Bell Labs in Whippany, New Jersey before moving to El Paso, Texas for a brief assignment in White Sands, New Mexico to develop and test the guidance system for the Nike Missile.  Mac and Anneke then moved from El Paso to Winston-Salem, North Carolina where he worked for Western Electric from 1956 to 1972.  He finished up his career in Charlotte, North Carolina working as a research radio engineer for Southern Bell and BellSouth until his retirement in 1989.  He loved his job and was known to say he could not believe he was being paid for doing his hobby. 

A lifelong Episcopalian, Mac was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Christ Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.  He loved music and enjoyed singing as a member of the church choirs.  Mac especially enjoyed choir trips to the UK to sing in various cathedrals. He was also a member of the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte, the official chorus of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.

Mac (W4PVT) was an avid amateur radio operator and was active in the Mecklenburg Amateur Radio Society and later was a volunteer for the radio room at Discovery Place.  He had many “ham” friends all around the world that he would talk to on a regular basis.  Mac enjoyed contesting, morse code and just general “rag chewing” with his friends on the radio.  He was also active in the Charlotte Astronomers Club and had a telescope at home where he was always ready to watch the stars on a clear night.

Mac had a great love for travel.  He had his first taste of the world while in the Army.  During the Korean War, he circumnavigated the globe visiting many exotic locations.  He spent his younger childhood years in Honolulu, Hawaii while his father was stationed there.  Mac had a special fondness for the islands, the culture, people, and music.  He finally went back to visit in the early 90’s and felt at home.  Mac and his family continued to make every other year trips to Maui and the Big Island to celebrate anniversaries.  So many great memories were made on these trips.

The family extends their sincere appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to the many caregivers, staff and other residents that were devoted to his care.  Mac will be remembered for being a gentle and kind soul with a dry wit and great sense of humor.  He was always making his caregivers at Southminster laugh and they loved his company.

A celebration of Mac’s life will be held 11:30 AM on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Southminster Retirement Community in their chapel, followed by military honors.  A reception will follow the service at Southminster.

In lieu of flowers, memorials gifts may be offered in Mac’s memory to Southminster Community Fund, 8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.