WHITE STONE—Matthew L. Wood Jr. of White Stone, formerly of Richmond and Kohler, Wis., died March 26, 2026, at the age of 85.
He is survived by Ann Gray (Turner) Wood, his beloved wife of 55 years; two children, Matthew Wood III (Lisa) and Susannah Wood (Vanessa); six grandchildren, Alex, Annalise, Jameson, Jonas, Aubrey and Samuel; his younger sister, Lee Wood Boisseau; and five nieces, Ashley Pitirri, Hallie Stephenson, Leland Wallace, Wesley Boisseau and Taylor Boisseau.
Matt was the first child of Matthew Leland Wood and Dorothy Abbott Wood.
He was a graduate of St. Christopher’s School, attending from K through 12. He chose Duke for his university studies, earning a degree in business administration. Matt entered the Naval Officer Candidate Program and was commissioned as a line officer in February 1963. He served on two destroyers, USS Marshall and USS Wiltsie in San Diego and deployed in the Western Pacific. Matt volunteered for duty in Vietnam and spent 1966 in Danang with the Naval Support Activity there. After his Vietnam tour he joined the commissioning crew of the guided missile frigate USS Sterrett. He served on this ship until his tour of service was completed in April 1969.
On returning to Richmond, Matt joined a Manufacturer’s Representative agency, selling industrial pipe, valves, and fittings. He traveled the southeastern United States for the company, moving into management and later, ownership of the firm.
An opportunity in a German group of companies led Matt to Kohler in 1984, working first in North American markets and later the International markets until his retirement in 2000.
He and Ann Gray returned to Virginia in 2001 and built a home in the Northern Neck. Matt was able to engage in traveling, gardening, boating, coaching and officiating soccer and renewing an interest in bridge. He was an active churchman, a member of First Baptist Church Richmond, from birth until moving to Wisconsin in 1984; and later serving as a deacon and in other areas of church life at White Stone Baptist Church.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to all the caregivers who provided support and assistance.
A visitation was held from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, at Currie Funeral Home, 116 East Church Street, Kilmarnock. Funeral services were held at noon on Tuesday, March 31, at First Baptist Church Richmond, 2709 Monument Avenue, Richmond with a reception following. Interment took place at 3 p.m. at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Virginia Home, 1101 Hampton Street, Richmond, VA 23286 or White Stone Baptist Church (Food Pantry or Scholarship Fund), P.O. Box 45, White Stone, VA 22578.
