Ralph Wood

RALPH M. WOOD IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Ralph Marlowe Wood, 82, returned to his Heavenly Father on January 12, 2010. He endured his cancer with amazing patience, a positive attitude and faith and was an amazing example to all who knew him, especially his family. He was born July 22, 1927 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Blanche Pearl Jenkins and John (Jack) Albert Wood, the second of four children. He grew up and attended schools in the area, graduating from Idaho Falls High School. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman First Class during World War II and was stationed in Guam. Following his discharge from the military, he attended Brigham Young University and then the College of Mortuary Science in San Francisco. He married Margaret Catherine Packer on September 6, 1950, in the Idaho Falls Temple. They had 9 children and one foster son. Ralph was a successful businessman and was co-owner of Wood Funeral Home until his retirement in 1994. He continued, however, to help at funeral services when requested. He served as President of the Idaho Falls and Idaho State Funeral Directors Association, was a member of the Idaho Falls City Council for 20 years, and was active in the Lions Club, serving as President. Ralph was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions in the church including Bishop (twice), counselor in a Stake Presidency, and counselor in the Idaho Falls Temple Presidency. Ralph went on a mission to the New England states as a young man and later served two missions with his sweetheart, Margaret, one to Boston Massachusetts and another to New York City South. They loved their missions, being together, and serving as a couple. Ralph enjoyed playing tennis, loved traveling with Margaret, and found pleasure in the supper clubs in which he and Margaret participated. Ralph loved the gospel of Jesus Christ, he loved his family and he loved serving in the city. He was a man of honesty and integrity. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; children, Cathie (Sid) Lanham of Sandy, UT; Marlowe (DeAnne) Wood of Memphis, TN; Debbie (Pat) Martin of Idaho Falls; Walt (Lori) Wood of Mesa, AZ; Von (Michelle) Wood of Bountiful, UT; Matt (Kim) Wood of Hillsboro, OR; Mark (Cristie) Wood of Lindon, UT; Charlotte (Derek) Jensen of American Fork, UT; and Paul (Shaunna) Wood of Ammon; foster son, Dewey (Diane) Not Help Him of Ceres, CA; 56 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; a sister, Annette Wood of Idaho Falls, ID and a brother, Robert S. Wood of Belmont, MA. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jack Arthur Wood; and two grandsons, Spencer Wood and Chris Martin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2010, at the Ammon LDS Stake Center, 2055 S. Ammon Road, with Bishop Brett Acor of the Ammon 15th Ward officiating. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, and Saturday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery with military rites performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Martha Johnson Goodrich I am so very sorry to read about Ralph’s passing. What a loss to your family and the community. Ralph was such a wonderful, kind help mate in all that he did. My heart goes out to you all. Gary Mills Ralph was a great mentor during my first few years on the Idaho Falls City Council. His compassion to our family when my father died in 1987 was extraordinary. A great man has left us. Susan Drouin sgdrouin@yahoo.com Thank you for the fine examples that you family has set forth. I also appreciate the friends that you have been to my parents DeLynn & Beverly Hansen. They have enjoyed the many dinners and camping trips they have shared with you. Memories are indefinite. May the Lord bless you and yours at this time. Irene and Joe Vargas joeliv@msn.com Today, we all suffered a great loss. He was kind and wonderful to everyone! He probably went to the heaven express since he was so close to the Lord. We pray that the Lord will give you strength during this time. Sincerely, Irene and Joe Vargas, Preneed Counselor, Wood Funeral Home Linda Johnson ljohnson@hartlawif.com So glad Margaret and Ralph were able to be with us when Dad was dying a few weeks ago. Ralph seemed to be in good spirits then -- I guess at least part of dinner club are partying on the other side. Our family loves Margaret and Ralph. We feel like we've lost a member of our own family. Please accept our condolences and know we are thinking of you. Melissa Davis melissa.enid@gmail.com My heart goes out to Margaret and family. I love Ralph Wood. I am a better person because of Ralph Wood. I understand the gospel more because of Ralph Wood. I will try harder to live better just so that I can associate with him in the next life. Some of the best memories of my growing up in Idaho Falls are connected to Ralph Wood. What a great man he is! You will be in my prayers. Margaret, I love you dearly. Please know that. I wish I could be there to celebrate his life with all of you. Ruby Sharp Dear family, We want to express our deepest sympathies in the passing of Ralph. We are so grateful for the gospel and the knowledge that families are forever. Our Savior gives to us a comfort no one else can. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Ruby Sharp and family. Joe Palmer ajp@srv.net Dear Sister Wood: I came to Idaho Falls in December of 1988 and was in your ward for about six months. During that time you and Ralph reached out to me and the other singles in the ward in a remarkable way. Just a few days ago I was driving on Woodruff with my wife and started telling her about the time you and Ralph invited us over to your house for a evening of fun and games. I agree with everything said in the tribute. He truly was an amazing example. I liked everything about him. There's no aspect of his personality I wouldn't like to have. He is my hero in every way. Joe Palmer F. Dee Monson Dee M @Centurytel.net Ralph was an amazing person in many ways. The most interesting thing I remember about him was being in his study an seeing the many volumes of journals he had written about his life's experiences and accomplishments. What a great legacy to leave to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I hope they all will read them and be strengthened in their testimonies and their desires to serve their fellow men. Ralph was a great inspiration and example to me. Melissa Waters ksjrfoerster@msn.com To Shaunna and Paul Wood and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Love you, Missy Ann Rydalch arydalch@msn.com Dear Margaret & Family, My heart is sad that we have lost such a stalwart legend from our community. The things that you and he have accomplished towards having a better community will always be remembered. I probably won't be able to attend Ralph's funeral as I am still recovering from surgery. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you always. I love you and miss our various activities we pursued together. Love, Ann Rydalch Gregg Soffe gregg3586@yahoo.com Dear Margaret and family, we are so sorry to hear about Ralph's passing and please know that all the Soffe family expresses their heartfelt love at this time. We are grateful that Ralph and Margaret came by the Mortuary in Murray to visit with mom (Mary) and I am grateful that I (Gregg) was there and also had a chance to visit with you. Every time I had a chance to be with Ralph he always had the same positive attitude and pleasant smile and and great sense of humor. He has always been a great example to so many and that will live with on forever. We Love you and pray for you at this time. The Soffe's Matt & Sally Rydalch rydalchmattsally@qwest.net Our condolences to the Wood Family. May your hearts be soothed by knowledge of the love we have for your family. What a great man Ralph is. Mary Jane Fritzen mfritzen@ida.net We will miss Ralph Wood; he was a good neighbor and community leader, as well as family leader. May I express my condolence to his wife, Margaret. Love, Mary Jane Joan McFate Autry grandma9_6@q.com To Margaret & family - I have many memories of President Wood speaking at Stake Conferences and his being at many funerals that I have been to and he has always been the most gracious of men. I remember Margaret speaking at Young Women meetings and it was always so wonderful and uplifting. I just honor and respect both of you so very much. I love you and have always appreciated your friendliness towards me. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family. With love from Joan Autry Shelli McBride mcbrides@d93.k12.id.us Charlotte, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I will miss seeing him and your mom, hand in hand on the street on one of their many walks. God bless your family. Sincerely, Shelli McBride (Larsen) Beverly Wakeman Dear Margaret, So sorry to hear about Ralph. Right now I'm in Tucson, so will not be able to attend the services. My deepest sympathy go to you and your family. Sincerely, Bev Bud Hiatt cehiatt1@yahoo.com Dear Margaret: I was both shocked and saddened by the news of Ralph's death. I am still alive at 93. Some of my favorite memories of you and Ralph take me back to the Ammon Stake Presidency when Cobie and I were invited to attend General Conference together with the whole group. Love, Bud Cheri Gavin clgavin@msn.com Hi Walt, I wanted to let you know that the Class of '75 is surely thinking of you and your family at this time. We send our love and prayers. God Bless you all! With love, Cheri Gavin Jacqueline and Stuart Healy beachhealys@att.net We are so sorry to hear about Brother Wood. We loved him dearly and feel he is part of our Long Beach Family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. We send you our Love, The Healys - Jaci, Stu, Aiden and Sean Brad Wrigley My father John Wrigley who for many years was with KID RADIO had a long friendship with both Ralph and Jack. Over the years I can still hear Dad recalling shared stories with both of them. Mr. Wood was truly a man of compassion and held his position in Idaho Falls with true spirit of loving kindness for his fellow man. May God bless him and his family. Lawana Nielsen My sincere condolences. Cindy (Martin) Davis stops4rocks@gmail.com Dear Margaret, All my life I have known and admired you and your sweet husband. You have been my teacher always. From the 26th ward days til now. I have treasured the story of your engagement (do you believe in Jesus Christ?). And felt the love of Christ you both have. So many lives you both have touched. I love you all. Cindy (Martin) Davis Mark Williams I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. Ralph was a wonderful person and I have many happy memories of him. Ted, Chris Swatsenbarg swatchri@yahoo.com Dear Wood Family, Your family has been a great example of love and goodness to us for many years, as we've rubbed shoulders at church or school events. You're in our thoughts at this time of your husband's and dad's passing. Sincerely, Ted and Chris Joy Ward 1758 Kiowa Rd., Florissant CO 80816 My deepest sympathy to your family in your time of loss. I have fond memories of Brother Wood that go back to 1974 when my baby died and we came to Wood Funeral Home for burial services. Brother Wood was so kind and compassionate and wouldn’t even charge us for the funeral we were young married kids at the time and pretty strapped financially) I will never forget his kindness. He truly followed the example of the Savior ain all that he did . . . Love ya, Joy, Mom, Sis, Aunt Joy, Cuz, Niece, Sister Ward . . . whichever applies! Kristie Kunz I am saddened to hear about the loss of Ralph. My heart goes out to your families. Laurel and Gay Willis Dear Margaret, We are so sorry to hear of your sweetheart's passing. What a wonderful example you have been as you have supported each other all these years. We learned so much watching you as we were just beginning to raise our family. What fine examples your family has to been to us over the years. Love, The Willis Family Harlow and Judy McNamara harlowmcnamara@mac.com Margaret, we just learned of Ralph's passing. We ask the Lord's blessings of peace and comfort upon you and your family. We love and respect you both very much. We trust that time will ease things for you. Love from Frankfurt, Germany. Harlow and Judy