Born in Prague, Oklahoma on July 9, 1905, Dr. Wood left the family farm as a young man in pursuit of higher education. His pursuit was decidedly against his father's wishes, who wished him to stay and work on the family farm. He worked his way through school selling honey, and graduated from Oregon State College with a B.S. degree in Entomology in 1934. He then obtained a D.V.M. degree from Texas A & M University.A licensed veterinarian for 53 years, his 46 year active career in southern California begun in 1940, and covered both large and small animal work. A highlight of his professional career included a two-year stint with the U.S. government AID program to India in 1960-62, helping to establish a new veterinary medical program at a government college in the State of Assam.