Anthony B Wood's Obituary
WOOD, Anthony Bartlett Anthony Bartlett Wood died August 27, 2015 at his home in Dallas, surrounded by family and friends after a four-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Tony prolonged his own life by three years at a cost of great physical sacrifice in order to serve as a one-person trial in the search for a treatment for ALS. The treatment administered to Tony was developed from his own invention patented in 1997 of a machine capable of marshalling nanobubbles, sub-micron gas-containing cavities in aqueous solution believed to offer promising properties in the administration of medicines used in treating neuro-inflammatory and other diseases. Tony did not learn until more than a decade after inventing the device that he himself suffered from such a disease. He expressed often to his wife, Janel, that he wanted to see his invention help others, and he readily offered himself as a test patient when the occasion arose. At a crucial moment in his abrupt and punishing physical decline, Tony withdrew a medical direction not to resuscitate him. Unable to speak at that point but determined to continue the trial, Tony used a letter chart devised by his wife, Janel, to say, “I GOTTA TRY.” Scientists and engineers who are working to develop his invention are hopeful it will pave the way for effective treatment of a host of stubborn diseases. Eric Russell, Director of Research and Development at Revalesio Corporation, a biotech firm that bought and absorbed Tony’s company in 2004, wrote in an inscription to Tony and Janel: “I don’t know if any of us will still be around to see the day everyone on the planet is touched by this, but I believe the impact this is ultimately going to have is beyond what we think.” Tony attended Jesuit High School in Dallas and obtained a degree in physics from the University of Texas Arlington. In a 23-year career at Texas Instruments he acquired many patents for the company. He has been married to Janel Wood since 1987. He is survived by his wife Janel Broussard Wood of Dallas; son Jason Bartlett Wood and wife Melanie Clemmer of Dallas; son Christopher Theron Wood of Tacoma, WA; sister-in law Janine Broussard Ford and husband Frank Bradley Ford of Conroe; brother-in law Jim Broussard and wife Karen Schoebel Broussard; niece Ivah Elizabeth Broussard, and nephew Winston James Broussard of Columbus, TX. Tony was preceded in death by his parents and by sister Susan Bistline of Decatur, Georgia. Tony and Janel were honored at a reception at Revalesio Corporation headquarters in Tacoma, Washington in July, 2015. A funeral service will take place at 2pm on August 29, 2015 at Greenland Hills Methodist Church, 5835 Penrose in Dallas. A reception will follow at the church. The family will escort the hearse to Restland Cemetery in Dallas for a private family burial. Donations may be made to Greenland Hills United Methodist Church, or MDA-ALS Division 8131 LBJ Freeway, Suite 440, Dallas, TX 75251. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?pid=175667392#sthash.qlfg8y5C.dpuf Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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