Silas Rhuel Wood III, 75, passed away April 10, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 3, 1949, in Shreveport, Louisiana to the late Silas R Wood II and Mame (Golden) Wood.
Si graduated from Miami Palmetto High School in 1967 and a few short months later, met Sonia at The Place (a live music and dance hall) in Miami. Si then began attending college at Florida State University and Miami-Dade Junior College. Si enlisted in June 1969 as a Radioman in the U.S. Navy. After a few years of dating and many concerts later, Si and Sonia married in August 1969.
Together they moved to Key West where Si was stationed at the USN Communication Station working on some of the first computers in the Navy for just over a year before being called aboard the Destroyer Ship USS Charles R Ware out of Mayport, FL. Si crossed the equator several times and traveled the world before being Honorably Discharged from the U.S. Navy in June 1975.
Si began attending Florida Junior College and the University of North Florida, in Jacksonville, graduating with a BBA in Accounting in 1976.
In 1980, Si and Sunie welcomed their daughter Kristina and shortly after, in December of 1980, Si began working for Barnett Bank as an Auditor, being promoted to Senior Auditor after only a year. In 1982, Si, Sunie, & Kristina moved from Jacksonville Beach, FL to Sarasota, FL. While at Barnett Bank, Si was a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Suncoast Chapter and earned a Chartered Bank Auditor (CBA) certificate. Si also investigated a large bank embezzlement case, which assisted the FBI with obtaining a guilty verdict. In 1986, Si and Sunie welcomed their second daughter, Cynthia.
Growing up, Si always enjoyed sports (baseball, golf) & various water activities (fishing, surfing) so it wasn't surprising that his daughters followed with the love of sports, playing softball (and later volleyball). While supporting his daughters, Si coached many regular season and All-Star teams as well as served as a Director for Miss Sarasota Fast-Pitch Softball League for 4 years, treasurer for two, and volunteer umpire.
In 1990, Si left Barnett Bank and acquired a position as an Internal Auditor for the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Sarasota County. He used his experience to develop an internal Control Assessment Review Program used by Internal Auditors to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of controls in county business centers to assure assets are adequately safeguarded.
In 2000, Si earned a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification and developed investigation, interview and survey forms and procedures used in the Fraud Investigation Program. He also developed training and survey modules for the Fraud Awareness and Prevention Program (FAPP) and a Fraud Training Program for all Clerk employees. He co-authored the Board of County Commissioners Fraud Prevention Policy and implemented the County-wide Fraud Hotline.
He investigated many cases involving fraud and embezzlement. During his career, Si also became a member of the Florida Government Finance Officers Association (FGFOA), the National Association of Local Government Auditors (NALGA), and the ACFE. Si retired as a Senior Auditor and Fraud Investigator in 2014 after 24 years with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Sarasota County.
Si supported his father-in-law, Jose, by serving for 2 years as treasurer of the Hispanic American Association while also caring for around a hundred rose bushes at their Sarasota home. Si and family were involved with the Sarasota-Bradenton Rose Society with Si serving for 2 years as vice president (1986/87) and 3 years (1988-90) as president, he was the Annual Rose Show chairman twice and was selected as the American Rose Society, National Consulting Rosarian for the Deep South District in 1989. Si's knowledge of roses allowed him to be a guest speaker on a local radio talk show as well as teaching an adult education class on growing roses in Florida at Manatee Community College.
Throughout Si's life, he always would love to talk about and occasionally get to go fishing. Si loved to road trip and travel the United States with his family, taking photos and videos of their adventures to National Parks, big cities, and many places in-between. Retirement allowed for cruise vacations to places like Hawai'i, Alaska (three times), and the Caribbean. While at home, there was always a baseball game, golf tournament, or a Nascar race on TV unless they could attend in person. While Si was a proud U.S. Navy veteran, sports fan, and travel enthusiast, above all, Si loved his family. Si was happiest spending time with his wife, daughters, sons-in-law, and especially his grandsons.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Sunie; daughters Kris Rummings and her husband Mark; Cindy Lyons and her husband Bruce; grandchildren Adam, Logan, Owen, and Dylan; sisters Maria Wood; Cherry Delisi and her husband Steve; brother Charlie Wood; nieces Sarah and Laurie; and nephew Chris.
In addition to his parents, Si was predeceased by his brother Ross Wood.
There will be a Celebration of Si's Life, date to be announced. Memories and condolences may be left for the family online at www.MFHcares.com.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Si's name to any of these wonderful organizations (or another charity of your choice). Wounded Warrior Project: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: https://www.mskcc.org/ Humane Society of Sarasota County: https://www.hssc.org/ National Park Foundation: https://www.nationalparks.org/ Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: https://www.cff.org/ Moffitt Cancer Center: https://www.moffitt.org/ St. Jude: https://www.stjude.org/
