Remember Looney Zoo back in the 60s. H. Trent Wood Trent was born on June 1, 1925 in Louisville, Kentucky and passed peacefully with his loving family on April 2, 2014 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Trent was a wonderful father and husband to his loving wife Mae of 57 years and their two sons Stewart and Linden. Trent is also survived by Lindens fiancée Cindy Gildersleeve, 2 grandchildren, Jasmine and R. Trent. He also leaves two younger brothers in Memphis, Jerry Wood and his wife Barta and their 3 children Debra, Steve and Tracy and Don Wood and his wife Bev and their 3 children JT, Laurie, Suzanne. Trent was fortunate enough to have had 3 careers in his lifetime: His 1st career was as a Television Broadcaster in Memphis for over 20 years. His 2nd career for 28 years was in Investment Banking and the 3rd career was in Telecommunications Sales as a motivational speaker for 9 years working with his two sons Linden and Stewart. He proudly served in the US Army for 3 years during WWII and was a Staff Sergeant in the 178th Combat Engineer Battalion. He fought with General George S. Pattons 3rd Army in Europe - receiving 4 Battle Stars, one of which was for participating in the Battle of the Bulge. Trent attended school in Memphis, Tennessee, graduating from Central High School before going on to earn a B.A. in Economics from Southwestern College, now known as Rhodes College. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. During college, Trent had been a radio announcer at WHBQ, but when television became available to Memphis, he quickly switched to TV in late 1948. Thus, his 1st career started at NBC affiliate, WMC-TV Channel 5 where he worked for 20 years. He did everything from News Telecasts to weather, sports and was very active with doing commercials. He had the pleasure of introducing a young man by the name of Elvis Presley for his TV debut in December 1954, at the annual Goodfellows Christmas talent show during the wrestling matches held at Ellis Auditorium. WMC-TV telecast the wrestling matches every Monday night. There was a crowd of approximately 10,000 in attendance to not only watch the wrestling matches, but to see the various talent acts from all over the Mid-South. Ten different acts appeared in the ring between matches, but none got the applause that Elvis received that night. None of us could have foreseen the level of success that Elvis achieved. Trent always said that Elvis was one of the nicest and most polite men you could ever meet. Bob Johnson, reporting in the Memphis Press Scimitar in 1964, reported that Trent was the most seen broadcaster on Television in the Mid-South area. Bob said he was working up to 70 hours each week. From an 8 a.m. newscast on WMC radio, Monday through Friday, he also emceed a TV cooking show at noon, 5 days a week. He had an hour-long children’s program from 4 - 5 p.m. called Looney Zoo 5 days a week for 16 years. Over 400,000 children appeared on the “Looney Zoo” program. He also worked a 6-hour shift a day as a staff announcer. Trent was a well-known emcee of beauty pageants all over the 5 State coverage area. Trent was also emcee on a Saturday morning show called Pride of the Southland for 15 years. Talent from all over the Mid-South area came to perform. In 1956 Trent was invited to become the first commentator for the summer concerts in the Memphis Overton Park Shell, introducing selections for the 50-piece Memphis Concert Orchestra, led by Noel Gilbert. Each week saw various entertainers, from the Broadway Stage to the Metropolitan Opera, joining the orchestra in entertaining the large crowds in attendance. He narrated these concerts for 12 years. Trents 2nd career was in a totally different field: Investment Banking. He was President of Wood Bros. Investments, Memphis, Tennessee and New York City from 1970 to 1976. He made quite a successful career move in May of 1976, moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma with his wife Mae and their two sons, Stewart and Linden, to continue his Investment Banking Career. Trent worked at Liberty National Bank in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. He was VP and Senior Municipal Trader in the Investment Banking Division. He bought and sold tax-free municipal bonds on the wholesale level for the sales force and handled the bidding and the underwriting of new issues coming to market. He was with The First National Bank of Tulsa as they merged with Liberty National Bank of Oklahoma City in 1984 which later became Chase Bank. He retired from the bank September 1, 1996. After Trent retired from his 2nd career he went to work with his sons Linden and Stewart at Lindens company WorldConnect Communications. Trent was SVP at WorldConnect for 9 years during which time both Trent and his wife traveled the United States going to Marketing meetings and conventions and speaking in front of thousands of people about his life and about success. He was a very motivational speaker and helped build WorldConnect Communications into a 40+ Million Dollar company. His favorite place to speak was always coming home to Memphis. His mother was Jennie Link Wood and his father was Dr. Howard Thomas Wood, who was the very respected Sr. minister of Lindenwood Christian Church in Memphis for 35 years. In 1952 Dr. Wood served as President of the worldwide Disciples of Christ denomination and traveled the world on a speaking tour. hile in Memphis, Trent served on the Board of Directors of the downtown Memphis Kiwanis Club and President of the Forest Lakes Home Owners Association. He was also President of the Twin Points Condominium Association in Hot Springs Arkansas and a deacon at the Central Christian Church in Memphis. Trent was a member of the Oklahoma Securities Dealers Association. Trent and his wife were also long time members of the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane Club. Trent was a tremendous enthusiast of Jazz music and Western art. He was very patriotic, loved the United States and did not tolerate negative talk about his country. With a quick sense of humor and unflinching love of life he was always extremely positive and an inspiration to many, especially his family, even during his last 11 days in the hospital. There will be a private family service at Floral Haven in Tulsa, OK on Saturday April 5th. If you wish to sign the guest book and leave comments you are welcome to visit Floral Haven’s website floralhaven. Another one of the much beloved “greatest generation” is gone but never forgotten! A life well lived! H. Trent Wood RIP. Memorials can be made to a charity of your choice. Floral Haven Funeral Home 918-252-2518
Posted on: Sun, 06 Apr 2014 12:39:18 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015