GrandDaddy- Daddy - Husband - Friend - Serviceman - "Big Daddy" Ralph Thomas Wood died peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 3 in the company of his family, attended by caring professionals at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia. Known to many, especially those he worked with for 40 years at Atlanta Gas Light, as Big Daddy, Ralph was a devoted family man, Christian and a loving, dependable friend who was always ready to help anyone in need. He was 93. To sum up Ralph Wood in one word would be difficult. To many he was generous, kind and witty, though a man of few words. He was strong, both mentally and physically. For 92 years, he seemed indestructible. He was faithful. But the best, most accurate word to describe him is "service." Ralph left high school at 16 to join the US Merchant Marines, training and serving as a fireman/oiler on a merchant ship between Mobile, Alabama and Cuba. From December 1950 to October 1952, Ralph served in the US Army, stationed near the 38th parallel in Korea, protecting an Army MASH unit as a member of the 3rdAAA AW 5P BN Anti-Aircraft Battalion. As a Class A Industrial Serviceman for Atlanta Gas Light, he impacted many Atlanta businesses, large and small, insuring their safe and effective gas service. As a longtime resident of Lithonia, Georgia, Ralph served as an active member of Lithonia First Baptist Church. Though Ralph had lived 15 years in Dallas, Georgia, he still called Lithonia home. He was born on Pleasant Hill Road on October 8, 1929 to Robert and Irene (Corley) Wood, attended by Dr. Stewart. In his youth, Ralph attended Rock Chapel School and Lithonia High School. He served as the head of his family, whom he loved and cared for, until the end of his days. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Janice McMichael Wood; daughters and sons-in-law, Scarlett and Randy Merriman, Heather and Don Kopanoff; son and daughter-in-law, Damon and Jennifer Wood; grandchildren, Josh Merriman, Tiffany Merriman-Preston and her husband, Matt, Brittany Merriman, Sydney Wood and Spencer Wood; great-grandchildren, Aria and August Merriman-Preston. In addition, three special family members, Kelcee Hansknecht, Marissa Vestal and John Michael Vestal; 7 nieces; 3 nephews and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Irene Wood; and siblings, Ed, Elizabeth, Donald, Jimmy, Helen, Larry and Richard. A funeral service for Mr. Wood will be held 3 o'clock, Saturday, September 9, 2023, in the chapel of Henry Funeral Home with Dr. Jim Martin officiating and interment following in Lovejoy UMC Cemetery, Covington. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday prior to the service from 1:30 until 2:30. Flowers are accepted, or contributions in his memory may be made to First Baptist Lithonia.