Samuel Steven Wood

Samuel Steven Wood, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, son, friend, and mentor, passed away in his home with family by his side on October 31, 2024. Sam was born on October 12, 1939, to Russell Wood and Alphia Rigby in Auburn, Wyoming. He lived a life filled with kindness, humor, and an abiding love for people.

Sam married Cheryl Louise Christensen on November 11, 1960, in the Salt Lake City Temple. They lived in the Avenues in Salt Lake City while they saved up to build a home in Bountiful, where they would live and raise their three children. 

To know Sam was to feel as though you had found a lifelong friend. He had an extraordinary gift for connecting with others and was always ready to share a laugh, tell a story, or lend a hand. Recently, as his health declined, he saw a neighbor working on a fence and remarked, “If I could be of any help, I’d be over there fixing that fence too.” He never hesitated to help where he could. 

Sam cherished his time traveling with his eternal companion, Cheryl. They achieved one of their goals by visiting all 50 states together. Sam was known for saying, “Take time to stop and smell the roses,” and he lived by that motto every day. He truly appreciated the small joys in life and always made time for others. He loved camping, hunting, fishing, and golfing with his son, brothers, family and friends. He never stopped learning and living life to its fullest. In his later years, he participated in a pool league and met wonderful new friends. 

He always enjoyed gardening and working on projects around the house. He loved playing his and Cheryl’s favorite game of Dominoes. He was a clever chess player and enjoyed teaching and playing. He was an all-around talented athlete, having played quarterback for his high school football team and point guard for his basketball team. He earned many awards for his athletic achievements. 

Being an exceptionally skilled handyman with a knack for creative problem-solving, Sam was the go-to person whenever something needed fixing. Believing in solutions over replacements, he spent countless hours working not only at his own home but also at the homes of his children, brothers, and neighbors. His wisdom was matched by his humor. He always knew how to share his insights and bring a smile to everyone’s faces.

Sam was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving faithfully in every calling. Many remember him for his years of service as a member of the Bishopric and a Scout leader, although his most meaningful role was serving as an ordinance worker in the temple.

Sam also built a fulfilling career by managing the frozen food distribution center for Safeway. When Safeway closed its Utah stores, he was offered a promotion to move with the company to California, but he loved Bountiful and wanted to remain close to his brothers. Later, he went on to manage Utah State’s Surplus Property, where he made a lasting impact. Under his leadership, productivity and revenue soared. He made many friends, and his legacy remains today. 

Sam is survived by his loving family: his children Cherylin (Bryan) Winkel, Steven (Janeen) Wood, and Vicky (Ryan) Manning; 12 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; his sister, Sherrell Preston; and countless friends who feel the deep loss of his friendship. We will forever remember him for his patience, kindness, and the light he brought into all our lives.

To honor Sam's legacy, the family invites friends to a celebration of his life on Saturday, November 9th, 2024, at the Val Verda Stake Center, 2651 South 500 West, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery. 

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

Please join us in remembering a man who enriched each of our lives.