PETER JAMES “PJ” WOOD
Peter James “PJ” Wood
Peter James “PJ” Wood died peacefully in The Douglas E. Holcomb Inpatient Hospice Unit at Central Texas Medical Center on July 26, 2019 in San Marcos, Texas at the age of 30.
PJ is survived by his father Mark Wood of Wimberley; brother Andrew Wood of San Marcos; half-sisters Loraine George and Monica Becton of Corpus Christi; half-brothers John C. Becton and Brian Becton of Corpus Christi and half-sister Rachel Wood Baker of Corpus Christi; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his mother Deborah Wood, and brother Matthew Wood.
PJ was born on September 7, 1988 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Mark and Deborah Wood. He graduated from Wimberley High School in 2011. He worked in the Wimberley High School cafeteria from 2011-2014.
PJ was an accomplished artist, loving to paint, draw, and color. He was an individual who loved fishing, fireworks, weather watching, attending Dances for Adults with Disabilities in San Marcos, listening to rap music, and swimming. He was an avid fan of “The Dukes of Hazzard”, and “The Amazing World of Gumball”. He was an active and dedicated member to various Special Olympics Organizations in Texas, winning numerous medals in swimming, bowling, and track & field. PJ enjoyed making people laugh! He was always ready to give a hug or a handshake.
The funeral was held August 3, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wimberley. Reverend Jason Bonifazi officiated the ceremony.
The family would like to say a special thank you to SoulShine Industries for the General Lee Casket. Very special thanks to Sarah Williams for the following eulogy, from PJ’s funeral mass.
Memorial contributions may be made to Dances for Adults with Disabilities (thru San Marcos Parks and Recreation). Please contact Melinda Sasarak via [email protected] for complete contact information.
PJ was an avid storm tracker, and the best weatherman. His dad would tell you the reason behind this phenomenon is, because on September 7, 1988, Peter James “PJ” Wood entered this world the day before the huge storm, Hurricane Gilbert, which swept through the shores of Corpus Christi, Texas. This alone guaranteed his future fate of being a pristine weather man.
PJ lived in this beautiful world for 30 wonderful years, just shy of his 31st birthday. He enjoyed so many different things, but some hobbies most important to Pete were of course: fishing, swimming, drawing or coloring, traveling, and celebrating.
He enjoyed fishing in Rockport with his dad. He loved swimming anywhere he could, from the bath tub to Schlitterbahn. You could always find yourself with one of those beautiful drawings’ PJ seemed to color to perfection. Who can forget how much Pete loved traveling? If you told him he was going somewhere, he was packed, and ready to go at least 5 hours before you were ready to leave. What about celebrations? PJ loved celebrating anything and everything, birthdays being the number one thing to celebrate of course. Gifts of beautiful handmade cards that were received will be cherished forever.
When PJ wasn’t participating in one of his many hobbies, he was busy making memories and impacting the small community of Wimberley. Some of the most memorable moments were the times he spent at Wimberley High School. In P.E. he always loved trying to make his favorite basketball shot from half court. Who could forget his love for the ‘ol pig skin? One of PJ’s biggest accomplishments in life was impacting not only the many football players that came through WHS, but the amazing coaching staff as well. He became a beacon of hope to many of the guys who walked through the halls of the high school, they treated Pete with the utmost respect, and gratitude for being one of their biggest fans. They treated him just like he was on the team as well. PJ also touched the lives of the wonderful coaching staff. When they heard about Pete passing, they felt honor, and privilege to be a part of celebrating his life. Did you know that in the fall of 2008, PJ became an honorary Texan? Its true, PJ was given an official Wimberley Texans hat and jersey, he sat with the team at Friday pep rally’s, and not only ran out on the field with the team, he was able to shake hands, and participate in that night’s coin toss. This experience will forever live on in not only the memory of PJ, but in all of the hearts of those boy’s PJ looked up to and the coaches he admired.
Another sport PJ loved was bowling. He had the honor of being on the Wimberley Texans team, and Strike Force Special Olympics bowling team, participating in many tournaments over the years. He started bowling when he was in high school and continued to after he graduated in 2011. He was a Special Olympics track and field participant as well. The impact of this came very near and dear to my heart, he inspired not only me but my brother (Reid), and mom (L. Williams) to become coaches, so we could watch him do the things he loved most. He inspired one family to start a legacy for all the special students at Wimberley ISD, just like PJ. The years we were able to not only coach, but watch him play, are some of the happiest memories we have. Watching PJ touch the lives of so many people around him.
The legacy PJ leaves behind are memories. Memories of him saluting to anyone who wears a badge from EMS workers to State Troopers. Memories of PJ being a mischievous guy, trying to sneak ice cream out of the house in his backpack. Memories of shaving his eyebrows and drawing them back on with a permanent marker. Memories of him “smoking” a Cheeto or a straw. Memories of a boy shooting off fireworks and watching them explode with such joy on his face. All of those memories will stay with us forever, in this life or the next. Always remember that goodbyes are not forever, they are not the end; it simply means We’ll miss you until we meet again.