Former Sheridan resident Russell “Rusty” James Wood, 25, of St. Louis, died Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, in St. Louis.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Kane Funeral Home with services following at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Don Derryberry officiating.

Born Dec. 23, 1983, in Camp Pendleton, Calif., to James “Randy” and Sherri Wood, he attended Guernsey Sunrise Elementary School before the family moved to Sheridan, where he graduated from Sheridan High School in 2002.

He was on the high school debate team and, as an adult, served as a judge for high school debate teams. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2003 and served until his honorable discharge in 2006.

He earned an associate degree in information systems from the Community College of the Air Force in 2004 and in 2008 received a degree in pharmacy technology from Allied College South in Missouri.

He was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, loved politics, and was a member of the Democratic Party. He enjoyed music, video games, hanging out with friends, travel, volunteering, and movies, especially independent films and documentaries.

Survivors include his parents of Sheridan; a sister, Shebli Huston of Dayton; and grandparents Art and Clara Bell Newton of Cheyenne, Edward and Irma Garner of Candler, Fla., and Donna Gee of Stayton, Ore.

The Sheridan Press - January 22, 2009.