William Dean Wood

William Dean Wood

OGDEN a€" W. Dean Wood, 80, passed away April 22, 2009 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born November 16, 1928 in Pocatello, Idaho, to William Charles and Fern Elvaretta Watson Wood. He attended School in Logan and Ogden. While attending Ogden High School he was active in music, playing in the band and orchestra. His musical instrument of choice was the trumpet, although he also played a bass violin in a small band which he organized. He was active in the ROTC program, and graduated from Ogden High School in 1947.

After his high school graduation he attended Weber College, now Weber State University. Here he was also active in music, and attended ROTC. He graduated from Weber College with an Associate of Science degree and the LDS Institute of Religion in 1949.

Dean was called to the Central Atlantic States Mission located in Virginia and North Carolina. He took his trumpet with him, and had many opportunities to share his music. He worked with the Cherokee Indians, and in the Bushy Mountain Range, a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with many of the hill people. Dean continued with his missionary service through the remainder of his life.

Upon returning from his mission, he attended Utah State Agricultural College, (Utah State University.) He was active in music, band, orchestra and ROTC. He graduated in 1953, and was granted a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Education. He was commissioned an Air Force Second Lieutenant. While attending college in Logan he married Jacquelyn Jean Summerill, September 13, 1952, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Dean was called to active duty in the Air Force in 1954 near the end of the war in Korea. He was assigned as an Aircraft Intercept Controller at Komaki Air Base near Nagoya, Japan. Dean''s wife, Jackie died and he was left with two young sons Brent & Jeff. He later married and joined his family with Jolene Holmes Geilman and her son, Bret J. on December 28, 1966.

In his younger years he loved to hunt and fish, and had many enjoyable excursions with his family. He has enjoyed traveling with his family on summer vacations, especially to Yellowstone Park. He was interested in any kind of history, but especially histories of his ancestors. He has done extensive temple work and was active in genealogy. He spent a great deal of time reading and studying his collection of many books and was considered a scriptorian by his family. He enjoyed working in his yard and took pride in keeping it in manicured condition.

Early in his career Dean worked at General Mills as a grain buyer. His career employment was at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company where he worked for 28 years, retiring in 1988. He achieved Presidents Club status for several years while being employed by them.

As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints he held many responsibilities in the Church, including being a member of the Presidents of Seventy in the East Ogden Stake and a Counselor in East Ogden Stake Mission Presidency. He was in the High Priest Group Leadership in the Mt. Ogden Ward, a faithful home teacher, and assisted as a Gospel Doctrine teacher for about 10 years.

Dean is survived by his wife Jolene, children Brent D. (Diane C). Wood, Jeffrey K. (Cindy A.) Wood, Bret J. (Kim B.) Geilman. He has ten grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren with one more expected soon.

Funeral services will be held Saturday April 25, 2009 at 11am in the Mt. Ogden Ward 1314 27th St.

Friends and family may call at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary 3408 Washington Blvd. Friday from 6-8 pm and Saturday at the ward from 9:45 am a€" 10:45 am

Interment, Ogden City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the LDS Missionary fund.

Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com