Walter Wood

Walter Rex
Wood

1941 - 2013

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Walter Rex Wood, completed his earthly mission and returned with honor to his heavenly home on November 5, 2013, following a long illness.
Rex was born August 20, 1941 in Salt Lake City to Rex P. and Winnifred Caldwell Wood.  He was a happy, mischievous little boy who was adored by his three sisters.  Rex loved all sports, but focused on track events, particularly sprinting and pole vaulting.  He was offered full athletic scholarships to Annapolis Naval Academy and Brigham Young University, finally opting to be a B.Y.U.  Cougar, probably because his high school sweetheart (and eventual wife) was attending B.Y.U.    He had fallen head over heels in love with Karen Edwards when they were seniors at competing high schools, and has adored her ever since.  After four years at B.Y.U. (dating, dancing, going to track meets, and occasional study), Rex graduated in Business Management and married Karen in the Los Angeles Temple on September 11, 1964.
We moved to Salt Lake City where Rex built our Blue Jay Circle home in Golden Hills. We formed lifelong friendship among some of the best people on earth.  Rex loved serving his beloved friends and neighbors and was so appreciative of the major part they played in his life and family.
Rex and Karen were blessed with seven precious little girls, all of whom disobeyed their father by growing up.  He had hoped they would just stay “daddy’s girls” forever, but each fell in love, married, and provided him with 26 wonderful grandchildren….and that’s just “so far.”
Rex was involved in the manufacturing of modular homes for 25 years, and later as the Marketing Manager for Cambelt, Intl.  Rex loved being a homebuilder and delighted in the adventure of designing, building, and delivering hundreds of family homes throughout the mountain west, as well as modular schools, banks, and motels.  His final twenty career years were spent in marketing the innovative Cambelt Reclaimer, a marvel of imaginative steel engineering that emptied giant bulk storage domes.  In this capacity, Rex traveled the large sea ports of the world and delighted in his acquaintance with good folks of many nations.
Rex did a little golfing and a lot of boating.  He loved to go to Lake Powell where he was the ski boat captain for the girls and family guests on his houseboat, the Escapade.  He also pulled the perilous wave runner behind his speed boat and did his best to quickly dump all occupants.  Family Vacations were taken to Canada in the motorhome, to New York to be part of the Cumorah Pageant as a family, to Mexico to see the ruins and swim in the blue sea, to Europe, and eventually just with Karen on a mission to beautiful Fiji.
Besides his family, Rex’s greatest love was in serving his Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, with excellence and integrity in many capacities within the wards and Stakes in Salt Lake City, and Gallatin, Tennessee.  He humbly accepted every calling, and then poured his energy and enthusiasm into being the very best and loving servant he could be.  Rex’s deep and abiding testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and service to his fellow men have been his life’s devotion and joy.   Rex is truly a righteous disciple of Jesus Christ.
Rex will be remembered and deeply missed by his family:  wife  of 49 years, Karen, daughters Wendy (Mitch) Curtis, Lisa (T.J.) Baker, Amy (John) Poulson, Emily (David) Nelson, Laura (Michael) Muirbrook, Amber (Justin) Wilkins, and Summer Naomi Smart, sisters Marilyn Gaye Robinson, Judith Ann Wood, and brother-in-law Larry Diehl.  Rex’s 26 grandchildren will miss their Papa Rex and the jelly beans he magically pulled out of their ears.  Rex is now celebrating a joyous heavenly reunion with his parents, grandparents, and sister, Luana Joy Diehl.  He is so grateful for all his wonderful extended family and many loyal friends who have stood by him throughout the years.
We gratefully acknowledge all those who cared so lovingly for him at Silverado Memory Care Center with such patience and kindness, particularly Sueli and Kadee.    The entire staff made Silverado a welcoming and fun place for our family to visit Papa Rex, play, swim, eat popcorn and ice cream, and enjoy terrific parties at every holiday.
An evening viewing will be held Sunday November 10th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Cannon Mortuary, 2460 Bengal Blvd (7600 S.).  Funeral services will be held Monday, November 11th at 11:00 a.m., at the LDS Chapel, 8100 South Top of the World Drive (3675 E.), with a prior viewing from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Memories and condolences are welcome at www.cannonmortuary.com.  In lieu of flowers, Rex would be honored by donations to the L. D.S. General Missionary Fund.