David Hume Wood, age 78

David Hume Wood, age 78, of Stuttgart passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 26, 2025, joining his beloved wife Lynn in heaven. He had dodged death many times over his last years. We are certain Lynn was awaiting his arrival at the gates to give him an earful about what took him so long. In our hearts, we can all see him grin and hear him say, “Yes, Dear.”

David was born on June 16, 1947, and was a lifelong resident of Stuttgart. He attended Stuttgart Public Schools, played the saxophone in the band, and graduated from Stuttgart High in 1965. David served in the United States Marine Corps. David received his BSE from Arkansas State University and his MED from the University of Arkansas. He began his teaching career in Stuttgart as an English teacher in 1969, eventually transitioning to the Middle School principal until his retirement in 2004. Corporal punishment was still a thing during his career…and he was well-remembered for his use of a paddle to redirect students onto the right path. For a short time after retirement, he worked in multiple capacities for the district when needed.

While teaching in Stuttgart, David met the woman who would become the love of his life, Lynn. She turned him down a few times, but eventually, she agreed to a Dutch date. The rest was history! Together, they had three children, Kyle, Amy, and Matt. Growing up under the watch of an English major, there wasn’t a school paper or project that wasn’t proofread for grammar usage, structure, and orientation of content. David inherently corrected you if you didn’t utilize correct subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, or have the correct application of adjectives and adverbs when speaking in front of him. Upon the birth of their first grandchild, David became affectionately renamed Grumpy. He was Grumpy to four grandchildren, Taylor, Kaylee, Spencer, and Evan. Grumpy spent many nights, weekends, holidays, and vacations together with his grands.

David was an avid hunter and fisherman his whole life. His wife was frequently “deer widowed” every weekend all hunting season long. He liked collecting and shooting guns. He was a black belt in Taiko-Ryu and taught martial arts. David was a do-it-yourself handyman before there was the internet to show you how to do everything. He built the most magnificent clubhouse for his kids in his backyard and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t repair in his home. David had a soft spot for animals and welcomed many into his home over the years, including his beloved dogs, Bella and Annie. David was a faithful member of First Baptist Church. In his retirement years, he served as a docent for the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Auburn and Helen Wood, and his wife, Lynn Wood. He is survived by two sisters, Sandra Faltemier of Brookings, SD and Patricia (David) Baker of Houston, TX; his three children, Kyle (Simone) Wood of Hot Springs, AR, Amy (Michael) Smith of Stuttgart, AR, and Matt Wood of Fayetteville, AR; his four grandchildren, Taylor Wood, Kaylee Watson, Spencer Wood, and Evan Watson; one great-grandson, River Barncastle, and a handful of nieces and nephews.

A family hosted celebration of life for David will be held July 13, 2025, at 2pm at First Baptist Church. In honor/memory of David, donations can be made to the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie or the music department of First Baptist Church, Stuttgart.

Arrangements are under the trusted direction of A Natural State Funeral Service & Crematory, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400.