Julia Belle (Tucker) Wood

Julia Belle (Tucker) Wood, died peacefully on March 18, 2014, at home with her family, after an extended illness. Julie was born on February 11, 1931, in Huntington, West Virginia, and spent her early years there. She later lived in Lexington, Kentucky, and then in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she graduated from high school at age 16. She attended college at the University of Tennessee and earned her degree in education in 1951. On October 8, 1950, Julie married Harold P. Wood, Jr., who also was a student at UT. Together, they raised four children. The family moved to Wichita in 1956 when Harold joined Boeing Aircraft Co. as an engineer. Julie lived the rest of her life here in Wichita. As the children grew, she set the stage for her own career as a teacher by taking classes to get her Kansas teaching certificate. She started teaching full time in 1966 and gravitated toward working with “gifted and talented” students, which became her specialty until she retired in 1997 after 31 years. Julie worked hard to teach her students the responsibility that comes with having special advantages. “From those to whom much has been given, much is expected” was her creed. It was more than a slogan-it was a lifes principle that she applied fully to herself through many activities and interests that benefited others. Julies first focus always was, “What can I do to share my good fortune with other people?” She loved her church, sewing, quilting, knitting, reading, gardening, traveling, swimming, Jeopardy, bridge, dominos, classic movies, art, and the theater, and shared these things with others whenever she could. Julie lost her beloved mother, Julia Infield Tucker, in 1989 and lived without her for 25 years. That separation is over now. Julie is survived by her husband of 63 years, Harold P. Wood, Jr.; two brothers and one sister; four children; and seven grandchildren. Memorial service, 2 p.m., Friday, March 21, Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1750 N. Tyler in Wichita. In lieu of flowers, donations to Covenant Presbyterian Church Food Pantry. Downing Lahey West.