Ron Wood

Aurora Utah - Ronald Earl Wood, age 82, affectionately known as Ronnie or Ron, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, nephew, uncle and friend returned home to his Heavenly Father and loved ones on October 31, 2025 in Monroe, Utah. Ron was born on July 15, 1943 in Salina, Utah, the first son and first child of three children born to Francillo (Derb) Earl Wood and Bernice Anderson Wood.

Three weeks after Ron was born his father had to report to duty in the United States Army serving during World War II in the Philippine islands. Ron was three years old when he returned. He and his mother spent most of those years with both sets of grandparents. His grandparents loved him dearly and his aunts loved to spoil him.

Ron grew up in Salina where he made many great friends. He attended Salina Elementary and graduated from North Sevier High School where he played basketball, wrestled and was Senior Class president.

He learned to work at an early age delivering milk for Nelson Dairy, hauling hay, doing yard work for several people in town and working at the Premium Oil Station his father managed.

He attended CSU in Cedar City and went on to Weltech College in Salt Lake City where he was elected Treasurer and graduated with honors in 1963 as an Electronic Engineering Technician. He was offered a job at Rocketdyne in Canoga Park California and moved to California.

Ron decided he wanted to serve a mission and sent his papers in but got his draft notice into the US Army before he got his mission call. His induction date was November 24, 1964. His basic training was at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He received an early promotion following successful completion of basic training on February 1, 1965 after earning a National Defense Service Medal for marksmanship with an M-14 rifle and as a sharpshooter with a .45 caliber pistol and also high score on physical combat test, military bearing and leadership capabilities.

After basic training he went to Fort Gordon, Georgia for advanced training as a Military policeman and was transferred to Germany.

Ron served as an MP in Stuttgart and was assigned to B Company, 3g5th MP Battalion. The 3g5th MP Battalion's mission was to protect the Berlin Brigade enroute to Checkpoint Charlie at East Berlin.

This checkpoint was the name given by Western Allies to the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during Cold War. He was then transferred to Schwabisch Hall and worked as a desk sergeant. He remained there for the rest of his tour in Germany. He returned to the United States on January 7, 1966.

He was discharged from the Army on November 24, 1970. He spent the remainder of his military career in the National Guard assigned to 625th MP CO as Sgt. and was honorably discharged on June 20, 1978.

He moved to Salt Lake and worked at the Premium Oil Company that his Uncle Jay managed.

He married Susan Rasmussen December 7, 1969 in Bountiful, Utah and they welcomed two sons into their marriage. Justin Ronald and Brandt Jay. They later divorced, but remained good friends.

He was hired by the Utah Highway Patrol and started schooling at the police Academy at Weber State College. He made many lifetime friendships with his fellow officers. He worked for the Utah Highway Patrol for 14 years working in Monticello, Moab and then Tooele.

After 14 years Ron was offered a job with Savage Brothers Trucking in Utah and Colorado as Safety Manager. While in Colorado he had many great experiences.

After several years he returned to Utah and worked at USPCI as a Security Guard.

He then was offered a job as Safety Manager at Sysco Foods where he was presented the Hall Of Fame award several years in a row for attaining high levels of achievement and demonstrating Superior Leadership skills. He retired from there in 2014.

Ron married Judy Peterson, a high school classmate, on June 15, 2014 in the Manti Temple in Manti, Utah and moved to Aurora, Utah. They have had 11 years together.

Ron was an active member of the LDS Church where he fulfilled callings in the priesthood and Bishopric.

Ron was kind and compassionate, had a fun personality, a positive attitude and a very contagious laugh.

Ron is survived by his wife Judy of Aurora, son Brandt Jay Gardnerville of Nevada, Brother Jack Wood and Sister Kathy {Bryan) Rasmussen of Salina, 7 Grandchildren, 2 Great grand-daughters and Nephews and Nieces.

He is preceded in death by parents, sons Justin Ronald Wood and Chanley Christensen.

The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to Scott Curtis M.D. and staff at North Sevier Clinic, Kevin Anderson PA-C and staff at South Sevier Clinic, David Pope M.D. and Zion's Way Hospice staff. We would especially like to thank Bryan, Sue Lexi, Callie, Candace, Kendra and the entire staff at Monroe Canyon Assisted Living for their kindness and compassionate care.

Funeral Services will be held at 12 Noon on Saturday November 8, 2025 at the Aurora 1st Ward Chapel, 85 North Main Street in Aurora, where friends may call for viewing from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. prior to the services.

Livestreaming of the services will be available underneath Ron’s obituary at springerturner.com about 15 minutes prior to the services.

Burial with military honors accorded by the Utah Honor Guard and Salina American Legion Post #36 will be in the Salina Eastside Cemetery under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina, Utah.