David Grossen Wood

David was born on July 24, 1947, to Joseph Arthur Wood and Lydia Vira Grossen Wood in Salt Lake City, Utah. He passed away unexpectedly on August 23, 2026.

David grew up in Salt Lake City with his two older brothers, Stephen and Richard. He graduated from East High School in 1965, where his love of words and public speaking began to flourish. A gifted speaker and debater, David won numerous awards and honors for speech, debate, and extemporaneous speaking, both at East High and later at the University of Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1971 with a B.S. in Rhetoric and Public Address.

David served in the California South Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After his mission, he traveled the world with his family and had a sacred experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. This left a lasting impression on him, and the Holy Land remained one of his favorite places throughout his life. During the Vietnam War, David served in the U. S. Army National Guard as a clerk with the 144th Evacuation Hospital Unit.

David met Sharon Lambson in a ballroom dance class and swept her off her feet. They were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on June 20, 1973 and shared 53 years together. Their marriage was centered on faith, family, service, and a love of the temple. David and Sharon served as temple workers at the Jordan River Temple and later served for three years as Guest Service Missionaries, ushering on Temple Square and at the Conference Center.

David enjoyed Star Trek, Snoopy and talks by Neal A. Maxwell. He loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and devoted much of his life to serving others. His Church callings included elders quorum president, bishop, high councilman, and stake president. When he was called to serve as stake president, he began the tradition of the Sweetheart Ball each February. David loved teaching gospel doctrine and had a deep admiration for the scriptures and the prophets. Years of study gave him a powerful testimony, which he bore often and with conviction. He carried the words of the scriptures and the prophets in his heart and could quote them from memory.

David worked for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1998 until his retirement in 2021. When asked what kind of cake he wanted for his retirement celebration, David asked for fresh fruit to share instead. His love of fruit began in childhood and remained a simple pleasure throughout his life.

Family was at the heart of David’s life. He was proud of his children and cherished the time he spent with them and with his grandchildren. He and Sharon created a home where traditions, celebrations, and weekly family home evenings were treasured. David enjoyed watching sports with his sons, family trips to Lagoon, and time at the Lambson cabin east of Heber. Road trips to Yellowstone, Bryce, and Zion brought the family together. As adults, David and his brothers, Stephen and Richard, hiked to Delicate Arch at Arches National Monument. He especially valued attending the temple with Becky and Sharon. For David, some of life’s happiest moments were simply being together with the people he loved.

David is survived by his wife, Sharon, his children Rebecca, Katherine (Leroy), Daniel, Patricia, Michael (Amy), Christine, and Andrea (Kelly); his seven grandchildren, Lance, Alex, Lacey, Kylie, Tai, Jack and Leah, and his brother Richard. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Vira, and his siblings, Joseph, Frank, Janice and Stephen.

A viewing will be held on Friday, September 11, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Salt Lake Hunter Copperhill Stake Center located at 6710 West 4145 South, West Valley City, Utah 84128. On Saturday, September 12, there will be a viewing from 10:00-10:45 a.m. at the Stake Center with the funeral services following directly after at 11:00 a.m.