July 1929 ~ March 29, 2021
J. Ralph passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 29, while his beloved daughter, Heather, was visiting him in Nevada.
J. Ralph was born on July 1929 to John Ralph Wood and Leah Duncan Wood in Fillmore, Utah. He and his sisters Anna and Elaine enjoyed their wonderful home and family growing up in Fillmore.
J. Ralph's family spent summer vacations at Fish Lake and it was there that he met Jacqueline Jensen, his future wife. The Wood family spent many happy summers fishing and boating on the lake. After high school, he attended BYU and as the Korean War escalated, he joined the Air Force in 1952 and was assigned to the 4th Fighter Intercepter Wing, flying a Sabrejet. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for meritorious performance in Korea.
He married Jacqueline upon his return to Utah on December 5, 1952. The newlyweds moved to Florida so he could finish more pilot training. Upon returning to Salt Lake, J. Ralph worked for the First Security Title Company while flying part time for the Air National Guard. The family grew as Russell (1954), Randall (1955) and Heather (1959) were born.
The family moved to Montgomery, Alabama from 1968-1969 for J. Ralph to attend the War College. They returned to Salt Lake and J. Ralph continued his career with First Security Title and Utah Air National Guard for the next thirty years.
His first son, J. Russell Wood, cherished wife Jaqueline, and dear second wife, Jill, preceded him in death. J. Ralph is survived by his children. Randall, Jill and their son, Zachary live in Colorado. Heather and her husband Toby Levitt, their children, Julie and John Edison (Eleanor), Gregory and Pauline Schlesinger, Sara Levitt, Matt Levitt, and Hanna Levitt live Utah.
After Jacqueline's passing, J. Ralph was blessed with a new beginning when he ran into an old friend from high school, Jill Bunker. Jill brought her love for adventure and her wonderful family into his life. Larry and Kathleen Jensen's family (Draper), Clark Johnson's family (Park City) and Eric and Christy Johnson's family (Salt Lake City) welcomed J. Ralph into their lives.
Ralph and Jill moved to Nevada and enjoyed their new beginning. J. Ralph was surrounded by wonderful friends and neighbors.
The Wood and Levitt families would like to thank Carolyn Mcvey, Gary and Suzanne Egeland, and Jack and Elaine O'Neil for their wonderful friendship, support and caring for J. Ralph during his many years with them.
Ralph's Cocktail Memorial will be held Thursday, May 27 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. PST at Ralph's home.
