Sometimes, I’ll get transported back to when Amelia and I were in high school, having sleepovers every chance we could. Walking in the warm house - being greeted by all the dogs and Chris with a smile and a “oh hey, Wolverine” before rolling his eyes and teasing us of whatever shenanigans we would be getting into that day whether is was pizza rolls at midnight, helping with barn chores, taking the horses out for a ride … on the road… or driving around like teenagers do and grabbing a frozen yogurt. Chris and Val let us do our thing but never before a simple, lasting greeting. I hope your birthday in Heaven is as inviting as your warm home on a winter day. Thanks for the coolest nickname I’ll ever have. You’re missed down here but needed up there.

When I was the Director of the Scotland County Literacy Council, Christopher was my go to man for legal questions and he always graciously entertained us all in the Mystery Dinners we held.  Caleb and Amelia even joined in a couple times.  Miss him as I know you all do even more.  Pat

I am so sorry to hear about Chris. We went to church together when he lived in Laurinburg NC. I would baby sit his kids and help keepnhis horse stable clean. He will be truly missed. 

Chris was a valuable and most professional co-worker at our real estate agency. He and I worked many sales together. He was not just a co-worker, he was a cherished friend. I was somewhat relieved I was able to tell him how much his friendship meant to me while he was living. I had no idea his untimely death would come so soon.... nor did he. He and I would go axe-throwing together. He always beat me and was relentless in his pursuit of perfecting his skills....on every level of life. Three years ago, Chris had come to me with the idea of possibly opening up an Axe-Throwing venue in our popular tourism area, well ahead of any of the current offerings. He was a visionary who could see possibilities and potential where others could not. Despite his vast depth of knowledge on so many levels and subjects, he was never boastful nor arrogant about it. Nor did he ever flaunt it in front of anyone. Instead, he would gently ask leading questions about ideas he felt might lead down a wrong path, and encourage that person to consider the possible outcome if that path of thinking and actions were followed. He would rarely just come out and say someone was wrong for thinking a certain way. He would simply lead the person into the correct train of thought and allow them to draw their own conclusion, even if that conclusion was not the same as his. Watching and experiencing him do this - even to me - allowed me to understand I was only seeing a small token offering of a much larger library of wisdom and knowledge. We ate together, played together, worked together, and even mourned together. He is sorely missed and leaves a void which will not soon nor easily be filled. He is breathing celestial air now, something Covid cannot restrict. I am confident he heard the words "Well done my good and faithful servant!" as he crossed the threshold into Heaven to meet his Savior and Lord. Rest in peace my brother knowing  you were and remain a cherished friend whom I shall miss dearly for quite a long time.

I was introduced to Chris a couple months ago during our antitrust class for new Realtors.  Although we only spent a couple hours together, Chris' love of life and his profession was easy to see and everyone in that class came away a better person and professional after meeting him and learning from his immense amount of knowledge.  My deepest condolences to his family.

What a great Sensei and mentor.  Once, two of my daughters were competing together and the tournament officials set it up such that Kelly and Christin had to fight each other. It was a horrible moment for them and for me as a mom.  I would have been one of those out -of -control screaming mothers had I not seen Chris immediately appeal, advocate and support them.  I knew Chris had made the most compelling case possible. I appreciated that he understood the potential relationship damage and helped us all get through it.

I was the Teen Court coordinator for Scotland County and Chris donated countless hours to the program.  He taught the kids and got them interested in the court process.  I could not have done it without him. Thank you to his family for allowing him time to do that. 

Valerie and family, so sorry for your loss.   We knew Chris through his time serving in Ashville and of course your parents when they served at Hedges Chapel.  I reached out to my cousin, Liz Marvel yesterday and she filled me in.  So sad and tragic. Please know Kevin and I are lifting you up in prayer through this difficult time.  Kevin and Glenna Archer

Cindy, I am heartbroken for you.  I lost my only brother last September.  My heart goes out for you.  Love and prayers.

May God peace be with all the family  

Chris was so much to me as a teenager - a coach, a mentor, my first speech class teacher, and most of all a beloved Sensei. As a karate student, I learned that I can change and can accomplish the things I want through hard work. I developed grit and determination. I realized I could be fierce, which is sometimes what you need in life, right?

I have so many happy memories of times with Chris and Valerie - passing my first belt test, exploring the Windy City at the 1994 Chicago AAU national tournament, performing karate skits with the Power Team's evangelization show, surviving that crazy black belt test, holding newborn baby Caleb and later baby Amelia, visiting their new ranch home in Laurinburg, NC,

As a "Speech and Debate" teacher Chris was so tough - every student was afraid of him. Yet, after you had your turn speaking, you learned you could survive tough criticism and get better. It's experiences like this that help kids learn to handle the hard things life will throw at you and I am so grateful there was someone like Chris in my life to give me that experience. This class helped me gain the confidence needed as an adult to say "yes" to opportunities to teach others and provide leadership.

Every time I play cards I have happy memories of Chris because he taught me how to properly bridge a deck of cards. It took an entire plane flight, but I did eventually master it. Later he taught me to play euchre and there were many happy nights in future years playing with Chris and Valerie and my sister Christin.

Chris was a faithful Christian who was determined to put Jesus first in all areas of his life. I'm so thankful for the way he loved me and changed my life.

We met Mr. Chris at Creative Theater & our family fell in love with him. He was always so patient & encouraged everyone. Our boys, Isaiah & Colin, helped him haul hay to his barn. Isaiah would go once a week or every other week to help him clean his barn, weed eat, and whatever odd jobs Mr. Chris needed help with. Isaiah enjoyed working alongside him & he learned many life lessons in their time spent alone together. He will miss him greatly! Your family is in our thoughts & prayers.

Dear Wood Family, 

I am shocked and grieved to hear of your loss. My prayers and love go out to all of you. Chris was always a kind and wonderful director and friend to me, filled with patience and laughter; we had fun times together with the Encore! Theater. Blessings to all of you. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-5: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

I deeply appreciate how Chris and Valerie loved our kids like they were their own. It was invaluable to have clear, caring, trusted adult voices in their lives! What a great guy who will be deeply missed. Love and prayers,
Margaret McLewin

My family attended church with the Wood’s family for many years.  He was a man who loved God and raised his children to share his faith.  I will cherish the time spent with Chris at Family Worship Center and look forward to seeing him again in heaven. 

I did some artwork for him in exchange for his services on my divorce . When I realized his credentials in the martial arts we hit it off all the more. I shared with him my martial arts experience and showed him the certificates I had and the advancements I made in the art of Tang Soo Do. And he told me that he didn't have any more room for any more students, but that he would train me. We became friends after that.  Just a couple of weeks ago he contacted me wanting some artwork done for a project that he and his son were doing. That I was looking forward to doing more work with Chris. I'm floored, in shock like everybody else is. He was a good man and a great friend. I kind of laugh looking back at a time when he and I were in a low budget film called Jack package in Laurinburg North Carolina. He dressed up like this old 1800 Chinese man, in a traditional king fu outfit, who was the store owner. And I was just a customer in the store. I will miss you Chris but I know that you are safely in the arms of our Lord Jesus. That's another thing that I really appreciated about him is that he was a Christian and he loved God

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I am so sorry for your loss. E.O.

Even though I only had the chance to meet with him a handful of times, he always remembered me and made me feel welcome. I valued his kindness, humor, and caring spirit. I’m thankful to have known him and my sincerest condolences are with the Wood family and I pray for God to be with them even more than usual in this time.

Val and kids,  you are all in our thoughts and prayers.  We will always remember the great times at Lake Cumberland   Larry and Patty Flowers