Jan. 11, 1929 — June 6, 2018
Blaine “D” Wood, age 89, passed away June 6 after a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease. Blaine, or “Beaner” as his friends and family called him, was well known in the St. George area as a respected businessman and entrepreneur. He managed the old Premium Oil service station on Bluff Street and was involved in a number of other local businesses: Dixie Amusement and Vending Co., Red Hills Distributing Co., and Tropic Ice Co. Throughout his career, he employed many people and he always strove to be a fair and understanding boss.
Blaine was born Jan. 11, 1929, to Amos Benoni and Sarah Ann Durfey Wood. He was the youngest of eight children, who were all raised in Spanish Fork. It was in Spanish Fork that he met and married his soulmate, Mary Vivian Grover, on Feb. 3, 1950. They were later sealed in the St. George Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 15, 1965. Together they raised four children: a daughter and three sons. He was deeply loved and respected as he taught his family to be honest and kind, to work hard and to play hard.
Blaine enjoyed flying and was one of the first commercial pilots in the St. George area. At one time he was employed by the Hollywood movie makers to fly daily cuts of film to Las Vegas for processing. He was instrumental in starting the local squadron for the Utah Civil Air Patrol and worked hard at organizing air-search efforts for the community when called upon by local authorities.
He also enjoyed riding four-wheelers and snowmobiles near his cabin on Kolob Mountain and spending time at his little beach house near San Felipe, Mexico.
Blaine is survived by his devoted wife and best friend, Mary, of Leeds, Utah; his daughter, Dorothy Bates; his sons Lyle (Lori), Gary (Kathy) and Dean (Allyson); 21 grandchildren; 68 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; his brother Jay D Wood (Glenda); and brother-in-law Arthur Slater.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Fere (Leah) Wood, Derb (Bernice) Wood, Chick (Lynn) Ludlow, Athene (Arthur) Slater, Deb and Betty Wood and Kenneth D Wood; and grandson, “L” Brant Wood.
The family would like to thank the Home Instead Senior Care staff and the Rocky Mountain Hospice caregivers for bringing understanding and compassion in this tender time.
Funeral services
- Funeral services will be held Monday, June 11, at 11 a.m. at the LDS chapel located 75 N. Main St., Leeds, Utah.
- Visitations will be held Sunday, June 10, from 6-8 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary located at 288 West St. George Blvd. There will also be visitations prior to the funeral service from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Leeds chapel.
- Internment will take place at a later date in the Kolob Mountain Ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, to help fund research to cure this debilitating disease.
Friends and family are invited to sign Blaine’s guest book at Metcalf Mortuary.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. For condolences, full obituary and funeral listings please visit Metcalf Mortuary online.