John D. Wood Jr.

Austin, Colo., resident John D. Wood Jr., 89, passed away Sept. 13, 2013, at his residence.

A viewing for family and friends is from 7 to 8 p.m., Sept. 20 at the Taylor Funeral Service Chapel, Delta, Colo.

A funeral service honoring John’s life is at 2:30 p.m., Sept. 21 at the Delta Christian Church in Delta, Colo., with Pastor Ethan Hanson officiating. Interment will follow at the Delta City Cemetery.

John David Wood Jr. was born Jan. 3, 1924, to John David Sr. and Erma (Kerns) Wood in St. Joseph, Mo. He spent his childhood and attended school at Easton School in St. Joseph, Mo.

John married Sarah Elizabeth Harris on Jan. 21, 1946, in Troy, Kan. To this union, five daughters were born. Sarah and John celebrated 66 years of marriage together before her passing in November 2012.

John entered the U.S. Navy in November 1942. He was a World War II veteran who landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. He received the American Area Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, European-African Middle Western Ribbon, D-Day Ribbon and a Victory Medal.

John was co-founder of Wood Bros. Homes Inc. of Denver, Colo., and co-founder of Homesteaders Lumber of Big Lake. John also built several churches in Colorado and Alaska.

John was a member of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake, Sheriff Posse, Homebuilders Association, National Rifle Association, Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Flying Farmers, board member for Alameda National Bank and a board member of City Investing Co. of New York.

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends who had the privilege to love and know him.

Surviving are his five daughters, Erma J. Rupp of Phoenix, Ariz., Barbara L. (Robert) Nord of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Debra S. (Shane) Bignell of Delta, Colo., Janet L. (Rob) Yadon of Palmer and Vicki A. (Embrey) Stults of Austin, Colo.; four sisters, Marilyn Loyd of Big Lake, Dixie Anderson of Broomfield, Colo., Karen Thompson of Broomfield, Colo., and Teena Trenda of Lakewood, Colo.; 14 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Sarah Wood; parents, John D. Sr. and Erma Wood; brothers, Bob and Jimmy Wood; sisters, Joy Price and Sherry Bisel; and his step-mother, Glenna Wood.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.

View the Internet obituary and sign the guest registry online at taylorfuneralservice.com.