George E. Wood

George E. Wood, 72, of Concord, passed away Friday, September 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026, at St. James The Greater Catholic Church in Concord, NC. The family will receive family and friends from 6:00–8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, at Wilkinson Funeral Home.

George was born January 2, 1954, in Binghamton, New York, a son of the late Mary Agnes Dodgson Wood and Jack O. Wood.

George grew up in Binghamton, where he met Eileen when they were just 18 and 15 years old. What began as a teenage relationship grew into a life together spanning more than five decades and 48 years of marriage. They raised four children, first in the Binghamton area and later in Cabarrus County, building a home filled with family, friends, music, laughter, an open door and a cozy couch for anyone in need.

George’s life was his family. He was a devoted husband and an extraordinary father to Katie, George, Megan, and Laura, and, later, a very proud “Poppy” to his six grandchildren, all of whom shaped the way he lived.

He was the kind of dad who showed up. He arranged his work schedule around his children’s lives to be there for countless games, practices, performances, and the quiet moments too. He coached their soccer teams, worked on projects alongside them, shared his music with them, welcomed their friends into his home, and was always ready to help solve a problem. His children grew up knowing that when they needed him, their dad would be there.

That same devotion extended naturally to his grandchildren. They were the greatest joys of his life, and he took enormous pride in each of them. Even during his illness, George’s care team quickly learned the names of his grandchildren because talking about his family came so naturally to him.

George’s love for his family extended to his siblings, in-laws and many nieces and nephews. He treasured those relationships and the laughter, stories, and lifelong connections they shared. No matter the distance or how much time passed, family remained important to George, and he took genuine interest and pride in the lives of those he loved.

George was a true people person. He formed lasting friendships and took a genuine interest in the lives of those around him, making people feel comfortable, valued, and important. He had compassion for people who were struggling or simply needed someone in their corner. George looked for the good in people and found ways to help. If George loved you, he told you out loud leaving you feeling warmer for it. He was easy to love back.

Throughout his working life, George brought his affable charm to a varied career that included years in the tile industry, IBM, and Premier Frozen Custard (PFC). Work mattered to George, largely because of what it allowed him to build: a life with Eileen, time with his children, friendships with coworkers and customers, and opportunities to help others along the way.

George was a gifted do-it-yourselfer who loved home renovations. From tile work to remodeling and major renovation projects, he loved working with his hands and sharing what he knew with his family. Even during his illness, he kept a rolling tool cart in his bedroom so his tools would be close at hand whenever he spotted something that needed fixing.

Soccer was another important part of his life. George was a coach at Northwest Cabarrus High School and West Stanly High School. For him, coaching was about more than the game. It was another way to encourage young people, build relationships, and give his time to others.

George loved music. His favorites were Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Earth, Wind & Fire, but his tastes were so wide that he eventually ended up with an 18-hour Spotify playlist. He wanted to know the stories behind the musicians, the bands they played with, and the history connecting them. Music filled the Wood home, particularly “The Garage,” a favorite gathering place for family, friends, and generations of his children’s friends.

George treasured his time at Quaker Lake. The Lake was one of his happiest places—a place to relax, tackle another project, spend time with the people he loved, and enjoy the life he and Eileen built together.

George is survived by his beloved wife, Eileen Marie Wood; his four children, Katherine “Katie” Wood and husband, Andrew Henderson, of Ottawa, Ontario; George E. Wood Jr. and wife, Stephanie, of Concord; Megan Ridenhour and husband, Ralph, of Concord; and Laura Wood and husband, Kyle Riggan, of Raleigh; his siblings, Mark Wood and wife, Patricia, Patricia Jackson and husband, Jim, and Mary McGoff, all of the Binghamton area; and his six beloved grandchildren, Maeve, Ainsley, Jennings, Emmett, Tullis, and Callen. George was preceded in death by his sisters, Gail VanderBunt and Amy Wood, and his brother, James “Woody” Wood.

Throughout his illness, George maintained the same positive and caring spirit that characterized his life. He rarely complained and his concern remained with Eileen, his children, his grandchildren, and the people he loved.

George will be remembered for his warmth and humor, his music, his projects, his generosity, and his instinct to lend a hand. Most of all, his family will treasure the man at the center of their lives: a husband with endless love for Eileen, a father whose children always knew how deeply they were loved, and a Poppy whose pride in his grandchildren was impossible to miss.

His greatest legacy is the family he loved so completely and the ways he made life better for the people around him.

The family would like to thank the staff of Duke Oncology for the care, kindness, and support they provided to George and his family throughout his illness.

A Celebration of Life will be hosted next summer at Quaker Lake to honor George’s legacy. More information will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Donation Processing Center, P.O. Box 5041, Boone, IA 50950-0041.