CEDAR CITY - Howard Franklin Wood passed away on April 18, 2005 in St. George, Utah. He was born on September 18, 1910 in Cedar City, UT to Franklin Bryner and Sarah Ann Webster. Howard married Orma Shields on November 1, 1934 in the Saint George LDS Temple, Washington County, Utah. Orma preceded him in death on August 3, 1981 in Cedar City. Married Ouida Averett on January 9, 1982 in the Jordan River LDS Temple, Salt Lake County, Utah. Howard was born in Cedar City, UT, where he grew up and attended public school. He served an LDS mission from 1932-1934 in England and Northern Ireland. In 1937, he and Orma moved to Pocatello, ID where he worked at the Bannock Hotel as a clerk. Howard became a machinist at the US Navy Gun Plant in Pocatello in 1941. In 1949 he returned to Cedar City to help his father manage a men's clothing store called Wood's Toggery. The name was later changed to Wood's Store for Men. Howard was very active in Lions Club International and participated in several international conventions. He loved to sing and sang baritone in the noted Cedar City Lions Club Quartet. The group won the Lions International Quartet competition one year and was heard on local station KSUB for 10 years. Howard was very active in the men's singing group, The Master Singers. He sang in many activities, performances and funerals, often with his first wife, Orma. Very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in quorums, bishoprics and other organizations many times during his life. He was an avid sports fan and loved to golf, playing regularly into his 80s, especially with his sons. He enjoyed attending and supporting his grandchildren's sporting activities. One of the very last things he said was to his grandson Landon, "Play a good game!" Howard is survived by his wife Ouida, 4 sons Orion (Judy) Wood of Newark, CA., Morris (Rocio) Wood of Springfield, VA., George (Beatriz) Wood of San Salvador, El Salvador and Bryan (Jennifer) Wood of Cedar City, UT. Also surviving are 40 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and a brother Paul (Lula) Wood of Cedar City, Utah. He was preceded in death by a sister, Lynn Wood Teel, and a brother, Wayne Wood. Funeral services will be held Saturday April 23, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cedar City Rock Church. Friends may call on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Southern Utah Mortuary and at 12:30 p.m. at the church prior to services. Condolences may be sent through our website www.southernutahmortuary.com
(The Spectrum, St. George, Utah, April 21, 2005)