Avery W. WoodGreenvilleAvery W. Wood, husband of Patsy Bacon Wood and a practicing South Carolina architect for fifty years, died in Greenville, April 29, 2017. Avery was born on February 1, 1927 in the home place of his maternal grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Bookhart, in Elloree, South Carolina. Avery was the son of the late Emmie Mae Bookhart Wood and Avery W. Wood.Following graduation from Greenville High School in 1944, Avery enlisted in the Army Specialized Training Program and served in the U.S. Army 10th Infantry. At the end of W.W.II, Avery returned to Greenville in 1946 and served in the South Carolina National Guard.Avery graduated in architecture from Clemson A&M College in 1949. He worked with James and Durant in Sumter, South Carolina and returned to Greenville to work with J.E. Sirrine Company and Palmetto Associates, A&E. In 1956, Avery became a partner in the firm Beacham, Race, Beacham and Wood and in 1959, Beacham and Wood. By 1965, Avery established his own firm Avery Wood Associates, Architects. Ard-Wood Architects, Inc. was formed in 1979. Avery served as CEO from that time until 1999 when the firm became Ard, Wood, Holcomb and Slate and Avery retired from practicing architecture.Avery took great pride in 'all things Greenville' and participated in both civic and cultural affairs. He was a leader in Greenville's downtown revitalization when, in the early 80's, he and his partner Danny Ard bought and renovated the 50 South Richardson Street building to be used as the new location for Ard- Wood Architects, Inc.Avery was a strong presence, a Southern gentleman, with a sense of humor, a ready laugh and an eager welcome. He was inclined to offer a critique, be it for a building, a book or music. A friend, with a chuckle, fondly remembers Avery's once telling her, after he attended an opera, that Placido 'wandered flat'. Avery loved the game of golf and the camaraderie that came with golfing. In 1995, Avery shared: " My best score is 81 and I have had one Ace and two Eagles.".He was an avid reader, curious, and always learning. Avery was passionate about art music, especially opera and chamber music. He served as President of the International Chamber Music Series for eleven years. ICMS held its concerts in Furman's Daniel Recital Hall. Avery enjoyed membership in the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the Greenville Jaycees (when a young man), the Greenville Downtown Kiwanis Club, where he recently and proudly received his 50th year certificate of membership, the Western Carolina Torch Club, and the Poinsett Club. He enthusiastically subscribed to the Greenville Symphony Orchestra and the Greenville Symphony Chamber Orchestra.In 1983, Avery had a grand time playing Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the Greenville Little Theater's production of the musical ANNIE. That year, Avery received the Greenville Little Theater's Best Supporting Actor Award for his role as FDR. A gentleman, who had personally known FDR, wrote a letter to Avery, telling him that he felt Avery had appeared more like FDR than FDR himself.Avery earned his private pilot's license in 1977 and logged over seven hundred hours, flying for business and pleasureIn addition to his wife Patsy Bacon Wood, Avery is survived by a brother Thomas Bookhart Wood and his wife Jane of Tupelo, Mississippi; a son Eugene (Bo) Wood and his significant other Diane Williams of Greenville; Granddaughter Alexandra Claire Wood (Alex) of Savannah, Georgia and her mother Cathy Hughes Wood of Hilton Head Island, SC; Granddaughter Charlotte Wood and her fiance Alexander Eugene Friedman of Atlanta, Georgia; Grandson Avery W. Wood, IV (Wyn), his wife Cameron Wetzel Wood, their son, Avery's Great grandson, Avery W. Wood, V of Norcross, Georgia and Katy Taussig Wood, mother of Charlotte and Wyn Wood, of Lilburn, Georgia. Avery was predeceased by sons Avery W. Wood, III (Sonny) and Perry Lee Wood of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the health providers and affiliates of Downtown Saint Frances Hospital, Greenville, South Carolina.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 20, at 2:30 PM in Markley Chapel, Christ Church Episcopal, Greenville, South Carolina. Following the service, the family will receive guests in McKissick Refectory in the Parish House.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Miracle Hill Ministries, Inc., 490 South Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, South Carolina, 29607 or Triune Mercy Center, 222 Rutherford Street, Greenville, South Carolina, 29609 or The Greenville Symphony Orchestra, 200 South Main Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29601-2832.