Joseph Lacy Wood, 60, of Springdale died July 25, 2022, in Springdale, Arkansas.

Joe was born in Kirkwood, Missouri, in 1962 and attended eight years of grade school at Holy Infant School in Ballwin, Missouri. He graduated from high school at Lafayette High School in Ellisville, Missouri, and attended then-named Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, for four years, quitting one course shy of a degree. That was so typical of Joe. He got his education. He didn't see much value in a diploma.

While in college he learned to be a waiter, soon graduating to exclusive steak houses in Branson, Missouri, and in St. Louis, Missouri. His favorite was Lorusso's Cucina on Watson Road in St. Louis, where he worked for several years. He remained friends with Rich and Terri.His personality fit the role of waiter very well. He was outgoing, extremely charming when he wanted to be so, easy to like and generous to a fault. He typically was the highest-tipped waiter wherever he worked, because he related to customers so well.

When the travel bug bit, he journeyed to Charleston, SC, and fell in love with the city. He worked as a waiter, but eventually a mobile home company, seeing how well he related to customers, recruited him for sales. Joe excelled at that work, and would have stayed forever, but a housing downturn in 2001 put an end to that career. He stayed in St Louis for a while, then moved in with Dad in Cuba, Missouri.

Joe was invited to Springdale in 2012 by his brother, and enjoyed being back in the Ozarks. Most recently he served customers at The All American Steakhouse & Sports Theater on Sunset Avenue in Springdale, where he was well liked by his customers.

He was a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church, and a 20+ year member of the Knights of Columbus. He served three years as Grand Knight of Council 12082 in Springdale, and served the Fourth Degree as State Marshall in Arkansas.

Joe was preceeded in death by his parents, Vincel and Annabelle Wood, two brothers, James and John, and a sister, Kathryn. He is survived by his brother, Jeffrey, of Springdale, and two sisters: Salome Engle of St. Louis, and Suzanne Burnley of Marquand, MO, and a dear family friend, Denise Brannon of St. Louis, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be Friday, August 12, at St. Raphael. Rosary at 9:30 a.m., Mass of the Resurrection at 10 a.m. Cremation was handled by Heritage Funeral Home in Springdale. Burial will be in Missouri at a later date.

Rest in peace, my brother. You're in the arms of the angels, far away from here. May you find some comfort there.