Lawrence Barron Wood Jr., “Barry,” passed away peacefully May 24, 2025. Born on February 3, 1938, at the former Dixie Hospital, he was the son of Margaret Ann Patrick Wood and Lawrence Barron Wood. Barry was the top senior in his class, a scholastic achievement which proved to be only the beginning. It could be said that when Hampton High’s graduating class of 1955 picked classmate Barry as the one “Most Likely to Succeed,” he accepted the challenge. He earned a BA in English from Hampden-Sydney College (1959, summa cum laude and 2nd honor graduate), received a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship for the 1959-60 school year, earned an MA in English from the University of Pennsylvania (1961) and an Honorary Doctorate from CNU in(2001).
In 1961 he returned to Newport News to become a charter member of the faculty of what is now Christopher Newport University. He was the lone remaining member of that group which inaugurated classes in the former John W. Daniel School located in downtown Newport News.
During Barry’s 42- year career with the school, he served as the director of numerous programs and was the founder of the college’s Performing Art Series. He also spent 10 years serving first as the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and later as the Director of Development for the college. He finished out his career by returning to the classroom and chairing the Fine and Performing Arts Department.
Equal to the achievements of his academic career is the commitment he made to community and civic affairs. Receiving Barry’s talents as a board member have been the Riverside Hospital Community Health Center, Peninsula Alcohol Safety Advisory Board, Peninsula Council of the Arts, Peninsula Family Service/Traveler’s Aid, Peninsula SPCA, Esperance Dance Studio and Co., Norfolk Theater Center, Jewish Community Center Film Society, Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Advisory Committee on Programs and Guest Artists, Young Audiences of Virginia, Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center, Hampton Fine Arts Commission, and the Hampton Rotary Club. As a member of the Hampton Rotary Club, he received the Paul Harris Fellow award, recognizing both his outstanding record of achievement as University faculty member and administrator, as well as his major contributions to the community and civic endeavors.
His volunteer work as a citizen included The Advisory Committee to the Hampton School Board and City of Hampton’s Advisory Committee on Animal Laws. He served as Chairman for both and was the author of the final report for both groups. His committee work includes the Cultural Alliance of the Greater Hampton Roads, the Charles Taylor Memorial Library, and the City of Hampton’s Fine Arts Commission.
Barry's wife Ann, described her husband in this quote “A useful citizen and a broad humanitarian–an able teacher, gifted in mind and generous heart.” The quote she explained is part of an inscription on the statue which stands on Capitol grounds in Richmond. During a visit she and Barry were taking a stroll when the inscription caught her eye. She went back later to copy the words. “They were written about a Civil War surgeon,” she said, “but they also describe Barry.”
Lastly and most importantly, Barry would want to be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and a very proud grandfather. His children and grandchildren will forever remember his big heart, zany sense of humor and incredible generosity, demonstrated in countless ways, including 25 years of family vacations and precious memories.
He is survived by the love of his life of 66 years Ann Payne Wood of Newport News, VA. Barry is also survived by three children, two sons, W. Gregory and spouse Kathie Wood of Rehobeth DE and Bryan and wife Kim Wood of Yorktown VA, and a daughter Lauren Wood Walsh and her fiancé Davey Mabe of Wilmington NC. He also leaves behind his sister Ann Wood Carneal of Baltimore MD. Barry is also survived by seven grandchildren, Zachary Wood of Annapolis, MD, Caitlin Wood of Lewes, DE, Chloe
Shank and husband Bruce of Marietta, GA, Jennifer Walsh of Wilmington, NC, Samantha Johnson and husband Paul of Wilmington, NC, Carter Wood of Blacksburg, VA, and Graysen Wood of Knoxville, TN.
He was also the former owner of Lawrence B. Wood Funeral Home, now Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home & Memorial Park.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday June 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM at The Pope Chapel at Christopher Newport University located at 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News, VA 23606.
Obituary posted at Lawrence Wood Obituary - Hampton, VA