San Diego Union, The (CA) - May 13, 1990
Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice

Deceased Name: A. Claude Wood, 84; retired bank executive

A. Claude Wood, 84 one of the pillars of the San Diego banking business from the early 1920s to his retirement in 1963, a community leader and a resident of Kensington Heights for the past 50 years, died Friday in Mercy Hospital.

Born into a banking family in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sept. 3, 1905, he decided as a youngster to follow in his father's footsteps. He reatined that ambition, and his enthusiasum for the banking business constantly increased, said his daughter, Kathleen Hartley.

He retired as a director, senior vice president and cashier of California First Bank, now Union Bank.

He had taught numerous banking classes and seminars and encouraged many of today's bankers to enter, and then to remain, in the business, his associates said.

He was active in the Chamber of Commerce for years and headed many Chamber committees.

He had been a director of the San Diego Taypayers' Association since 1957 and was a former director of the California Taxpayers' Association.

He had served as director, manager, treasurer and president of the San Diego Clearing House Association.

He was director of the San Diego Employers' Association from 1959 through the 1960s.

He was a lontime active member and past president of Downtown Host Lions Club International, as well as various other civic organizations.

He supported many cultural and community groups. The Boys and Girls Aid Society was one of his major spare-time interests. He had served on the society's board and had worked on committees and projects in its interest.

He was active in the San Diego Club, the Cuyamaca Club and University Club.

He was deeply involved with Kensington Community Church through the years and had served as treasurer and trustee and filled various other posts.

He was a skilled golfer in earlier years. He loved automobiles, family members said, and he and his wife traveled extensively. Mr. Wood came to San Diego in 1923, with the encouragement of his parents, the late Egbert and Emma Bessie Wood. They had retired to San Diego and had fallen in love with the city.

He brought his new bride, Betty Jane Smith Wood, whom he had met when both were in school for a time in New Mexico.

He joined First National Trust and Savings Bank, which became California First, as bookkeeper and auditor, soon after his arrival. He advanced through the banking departments and was elected assistance cashier in 1945. He became vice president in 1951 and was named controller in 1953. In 1961, he was appointed to the board of directors and was named senior vice president and cashier. Mr. Wood was instrumental in the placement of branch operations of the bank, which was rapidly expanding through San Diego and the state.

Mr. Wood graduated with honors from University of Washington Pacific Northwest School of Banking in Seattle in the early 1940s. He was a graduate of the American Institute of Banking and served on the National Board of Governors as secretary and treasurer, vice president and president from 1930 through the 1940s. He taught classes for bankers and members of the business community for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; two daughters, Betty Marie Hamm, wife of retired Marine Corps Col. Norman L. Hamm, and Kathleen Hartley, wife of Dr. Bruce Hartley, a dentist, all of San Diego; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Private services will be today, with entombment at Cypress View Mausoleum. Memorial contributions in his name may be sent to philanthropies of choice.

San Diego Union, The (CA) - May 13, 1990
Edition: 1,2, Page: A-27