John Austen Flint Wood, 88, a 20-year resident of Tryon, died on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at the White Oak facility in Tryon.
Born in Rotherham, England on Sept. 17, 1922, he was the son of the late John Flint Wood and Vera Potter Wood. During the Second World War, Mr. Wood was commissioned in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and served as one of the youngest carrier-based fighter pilots and production test pilots. He was a graduate of the United States Navy air training program in Pensacola, Fla.
During his career in marketing, Mr. Wood had business experiences which included many years in Japan with Products of Asia, eight years with Wolverine World Wide and most recently as a consultant for Citizens Democracy Corporation, which included assignments to both Russia and Romania.
Survivors include two daughters, Rowena A. Wood of New York City and Nicola Edwards of England; three grandchildren, Lindsey Edwards, Romaine Flint Wood and Lauren Edwards, and two great-grandchildren, Laila and Rufus.
A memorial service will be held in New York City in June.
Memorials may be made to Steps of HOPE, P.O. Box 518, Columbus, N.C. 28722 or Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, 180 Laurel Ave., Tryon, N.C. 28782.
An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.
McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.