Don Francis Woods

Don was born December 18th, 1933, in Ogden Utah to Francis and Lavonn Woods. He graduated from Ogden High School where he loved playing the trumpet in the high school band, attending all the dances, and he especially enjoyed his creative writing classes where he found a love for poetry and writing.

During those younger years growing up, Don spent many of his summers going on trips with his dad who worked for the U.S. Forest Service. He absolutely loved spending many days and weeks at a time in the great outdoors helping his dad survey, fishing, shooting his gun, hiking, and just wandering the hills and mountains of Utah and Idaho.

Throughout his life Don loved being in nature. He loved skiing, (which he continued to do into his 80’s), hunting, fishing, shooting guns, jeeping, and riding motorcycles, and 4 wheelers, and just being in the great outdoors. He was often heard saying what a beautiful world we lived in and particularly how beautiful our North Ogden mountains were and how blessed he was to live here.

After graduating high school, Don went on to become a Mechanical Engineer by attending Weber State University and graduating from the University of Utah. He then worked for Hill Air Force Base eventually becoming an Engineering Branch Chief, Chief of the Propellant Lab, and Branch Supervisor. He went on to obtain his master’s degree in Logistic Management from Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. He retired from HAFB after 38 years and said his work there had been exciting and rewarding and that he couldn’t think of a better way to spend 38 years of his life!

Truly the love of his life was his beautiful wife and the mother of his children, Sharon Chard Woods. Don and Sharon were married on June 20, 1957, in the LDS Logan temple. They made their home in North Odgen where their roots grew deep and where all their fondest memories were made. Together they raised 5 wonderful boys. There were many fun and adventuresome camping and jeeping trips to canyonlands, and other parts of southern Utah, and the Uinta’s, and later they built a cabin in Island Park where so many cherished memories were made with their children and grandchildren. The grandchildren especially have such wonderful memories with their grandpa and grandma at the Island Park cabin!

During their retirement years, Don and Sharon traveled to many different places all over the United States in their camper, and other places throughout the world with dear friends. They enjoyed seeing such amazing and beautiful places and loved these trips so much!

Don was extremely handy and could fix or build just about anything! His wisdom and knowledge about most everything was a great blessing and resources to his 5 boys and his grandchildren. Don passed on many of his skills and knowledge to his family which we are so grateful for. Don was an avid reader and loved learning. We all enjoyed listening to him share stories and experiences about all the many things he knew and loved.

Don served in many callings and positions in his ward and served many people throughout his life in many capacities. He was loving and kind and expressed unconditional love to everyone who crossed his path. He loved and supported his 5 boys and their wives, and especially adored and loved each and every one of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His hugs and kisses, pats on the head, and I love you’s were freely given. His granddaughters were always lovingly greeted with “hi precious.”

We are so grateful for his wonderful life and the blessing it was to be his family and friends. We will continue to celebrate the love and joy he brought to each of our lives. He will be missed, but the legacy of love he and Sharon left will live on for generations.

Don and Sharon’s legacy includes: Bret (Bing) Woods, Chris Woods, Whitt (Julie) Woods, Nate (Michelle) Woods, and Adam (Natani) Woods. 19 Grandchildren and 22 Great Grandchildren with 2 on the way!

We love you both so much!

A viewing will be held on Saturday, 22 February 2025 at 1:30 pm followed by the funeral service at 3:00 pm. Both events will take place at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Boulevard, Ogden, Utah, 84404. Funeral services will also be available to watch live-streamed on Don’s obituary website at Myers-mortuary.com