University of Tennessee Athletics
Former Vol Tailback Babe Wood Dead at Age 89
March 20, 2002 | Football
March 19, 2002
Walter A. (Babe) Wood, Tennessee tailback from 1936-38 who scored the final touchdown in Tennessee's 17-0 win over Oklahoma in the 1939 Orange Bowl, died Monday evening in Shelbyville at age 89. Wood electrified the Orange Bowl crowd of 32,191 that day with his spectacular running, passing and kicking. For the game, he picked up 67 yards rushing to George Cafego's 38.
A native of Shells Ford in Warren County, Tenn., Wood played football at UT from 1936-38 and baseball in 1939. He served in World War II in the Pacific Theatre and later in the Naval Reserve, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He coached collegiately at North Carolina State, the University of Maryland and Texas Tech University. He retired from the State of Tennessee where he served in the Department of Corrections and Department of Conservation. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Shelbyville.
One of a number of talented tailbacks at Tennessee in his day, part of a group which included Cafego, Phil Dickens, Buist Warren, Van Thompson, Doc Sneed and Red Harp, Wood is survived by his wife, Margaret Brown Wood of Shelbyville, a son, Walter W. Wood of Shelbyville, daughter-in-law, Sarah Wood of Shelbyville, a sister, Verna Bratcher of McMinnville, and a grandson, Micah Wood of Shelbyville.
Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feldhaus Memorial Chapel in Shelbyville (931-684-8356) Wednesday, March 20. Graveside services, with full military honors, will be held 2 p.m. (EST) Thursday, March 21, at Greenwood Cemetery, 3500 Tazewell Pike, in Knoxville.
Memorials may be made to the Argie Cooper Library, 100 S. Main Street, Shelbyville TN 37160.
