December 22, 2015 - Fire departments from the area attended the funeral of former Fire Chief Mike Wood on Monday, December 21, 2015 along with a many others to bid him farewell and to give condolences to Wood's family.
To honor Wood, fire trucks from Joaquin, West Shelby, Timpson, Tenaha, Center, Carthage and Logansport were part of the funeral procession as well as staged along the route to Truitt Cemetery. Center Fire Department and DeSoto Fire District 1 of Logansport were positioned at the turn-off of CR 3173, Truitt Cemetery Road, with their ladders extended and an American flag suspended between the two. Carthage's ladder truck extended an American flag over the exit to the funeral home.
According to Wood's obituary, he held many titles during his life, such as cattle farmer, teacher, fireman, Mayor, and more. He was a science teacher for over 30 years, having taught at Chireno ISD, Joaquin ISD, Carthage ISD and Panola College. Wood was a member of the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department for 41 years and an instructor at Texas A&M Fire School for over 15 years. He was former Mayor and City Councilman of Joaquin, former song leader at First United Methodist Church of Joaquin, bagpiper, President of Truitt Cemetery Association, President of Joaquin Alumni, member of Joaquin Masonic Lodge #856 and Past President of Sons of the Republic of Texas.
