BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Tributes are pouring in for John Wood, the historic South Texas civic leader, real estate broker, and former city, county,and port commissioner who passed away on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the age of 79.
Wood’s passing marks the end of an era for Cameron County and the broader Rio Grande Valley region. Over a remarkable public service career spanning 33 years, Wood achieved a distinction matched by few in local governance, having served as a Brownsville City Commissioner, a Cameron County Commissioner for Precinct 2, and a member of the Board of Commissioners for the Brownsville Navigation District governing the Port of Brownsville.
Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr., led the local tributes, expressing deep personal sadness while reflecting on Wood's legacy as a cornerstone of integrity and mentorship in the borderlands.
"Absolutely, I'm incredibly saddened by the passing of John," Mayor Cowen told the Rio Grande Guardian. "He's a dear friend of mine. I considered him a role model and an idol in my life. He's someone I've always held at the most highest regard. He's the most professional, highest integrity individual, just very committed to community. I think those are all the qualities that I've tried to emulate in my life. And his family is—my condolences go out to them and his friends."
Cowen added that he had known Wood for most of his life through close family connections spanning decades.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr., who first met Wood in the Rotary Club more than 35 years ago and went on to serve alongside him on the city commission—and later ran against him in a closely contested 2010 primary—recalled Wood’s signature calm demeanor and diplomatic presence.
"Well, he was, to put it mildly, one of the best people I ever had the pleasure of meeting, getting to know, and working with, and occasionally disagreeing, but always, always with civility and respect," Treviño told the Guardian. "He was a fine, fine man, and everybody was better for having met him and being part of him, being part of our lives."
Treviño highlighted Wood’s ability to remain steady under pressure while driving transformational regional initiatives."The thing about John is that I don't think I ever saw him ever raise his voice or get visibly upset. He was just a very calm,respectful, measured—that's a great word, measured—man who was easy to work with, to be quite honest with you. He always had the best intentions of the community in whatever endeavor he was following or advocating for. I've never met anybody who ever had anything bad or negative to say about Commissioner Wood, and I'd be shocked if anybody ever did."
Former business associate Larry Jokl, who was Wood's longtime partner in real estate, reflected on their decades-long bond, shared travels, and Wood’s relentless advocacy for working-class families.
"John and I were partners in the real estate business for a number of years... We have had some exceptionally good times.We've had some tough times," Jokl said. "You can't ask for a better human being than John Wood. He was dedicated to this city. He was dedicated to this county, and he was dedicated to the port. He believed in the working man. He did everything he could think of to help the working man in and around Brownsville, Texas."
Jokl fondly recalled lighthearted memories from their years together, including a trip to Cuba where Wood’s enthusiasm for photography took center stage. "We had a trip to Cuba, and John would take pictures of every car you could think of in Cuba... I bet we've got 100 pictures of all the cars that were in Cuba. We rode in some of them, and he loved every minute of it. He was the most dedicated family man you can imagine... As a partner, will I miss him? Incredibly so."
Former Port of Brownsville Commissioner Ralph Cowen, a friend of 55 years who first met Wood when he arrived in Brownsville in 1970 as Southwestern Bell Telephone’s youngest manager in company history, emphasized Wood's lifelong devotion to the community.
"John was a very likable, bright young man who had a burning desire to make a difference in the world," Cowen noted."He was always a very dedicated husband, father, selfless civic leader and good friend to many thousands. He uniquely expressed his passion with a life of service to his community. He has made a difference in the lives of many people from the business and banking community to the little guys from the barrio. He wasn't born here, but always gave all he had to make our region a better place to live."
The scope of Wood's municipal governance was highlighted by prominent real estate developer and civic leader Rebecca Cardenas McNair, whose late husband served on the Brownsville City Commission alongside Wood four decades ago.
"John Wood was so active in the community, and we're all going to miss him so much," McNair told the Guardian. "He was a city commissioner, a county commissioner, a port commissioner. He really devoted so many years to improving the community... I don't know that I know anyone that has that history that was a port commissioner, city commissioner, and a county commissioner. That's a lot of entities to work for as a public servant. I'm sure each time informed his next term."
Throughout his 12-year tenure on the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners—which concluded upon his retirement in May 2026—Wood played an instrumental role in guiding the Port of Brownsville through historic growth. He championed the flagship project to deepen the Brownsville Ship Channel from 42 to 52 feet, while simultaneously ensuring port workers received improved wages and expanded retirement benefits.
Cameron County Judge-Elect Steve Guerra, who served eight years alongside Wood on the Navigation District board after initially competing against him in an election, reflected on Wood's mentorship.
Looking at this photograph today, I am grateful for the eight years we served together at the Port of Brownsville and for the friendship that grew in those years," Guerra stated. "At the Port, I saw how carefully he considered what our decisions would mean for the people we served. He understood what a better wage meant to a family and what a secure retirement meant to someone who had given years of service to the Port. That care for others was one of the qualities I most admired in him, and it is a part of his example I will carry with me."
In July 2026, U.S. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) presented Wood with a Congressional Record, enshrining his more than 50 years of civic contributions into the official proceedings of the United States Congress.
"Former Brownsville Commissioner John Wood has made South Texas a better place, from strengthening operations and trade at the Port of Brownsville to improving our local infrastructure and creating economic opportunities for South Texas families and businesses," Congressman Gonzalez remarked. "His leadership has strengthened the Brownsville community and expanded economic opportunity throughout the Rio Grande Valley. It is leaders like him that continue to define the spirit of integrity and service of South Texas."
Beyond his governance work at the port, Wood’s footprint can be seen across the physical and social landscape of South Texas. As a city commissioner, he helped bring about the Brownsville Event Center, the Brownsville Tennis Center, the Mitte Foundation, and Veterans Park, alongside historic cemetery preservation. As Cameron County Commissioner, he brought vital paving, drainage, sidewalk, and street lighting projects to Cameron Park, while working binationally to relocate heavy international rail traffic away from downtown urban cores in Brownsville and Matamoros.
Official statements honoring Wood were also released by regional institutions:
Born in San Antonio and raised in Alice, Texas, Wood earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Pan American University (now UTRGV). His extensive civic leadership included serving as Chairman of the United Way, the American Red Cross, and the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, co-chairing the EPA’s U.S.-Mexico Border 2020 Gulf Task Force, and holding vice-chairmanship of the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority.
John Wood is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Virginia Voltaggio Wood; his son, Kris Wood, and daughter-in-law,Carolyn Miller Wood; his daughter-in-law, Rebecca Cardenas Wood; three grandchildren, Vivian Anne Wood, Olivia Anne Wood, and Charles Frank Wood II; and his nephew, Vince Stewart. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister JoAnn, his nephew Chuck Stewart, and his beloved son, Charles Frank Wood.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m.at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home in Brownsville. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday,November 14, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the Moody Clinic in Brownsville.
