Robert Jacob Woods (Jake)

Robert Jacob Woods (“Jake”) passed away peacefully in his North Ogden home from natural causes on the morning of March 17, 2022 at the age of 92.

Jake was born on May 3,1929 in Chamois, Missouri. He was one of nine children born to Edgar and Nellie Woods. Being born during the depression presented many challenges, but it also generated many meaningful life lessons that he would share. His family moved to Richland, Washington so that his father could take a job in support of the war effort. While in high school, Jake met the love of his life: a beautiful spitfire named Pauline Browning. The romance led to marriage on her 17^th birthday. Together they raised 4 children: Farrell, Dolph, Paula, and David. Through tremendous triumphs and heartbreaking sorrows, Jake and Pauline’s love remained constant. Their loving 63 years of marriage set an example for generations to follow.

It is not enough to say that Jake was a hard worker. His work ethic was unrivaled. Jake had a myriad of jobs starting as a teenager, from the Hanford Nuclear Site to high scaling the cliffs of the Columbia River to becoming a master carpenter and custom builder. His construction expertise took him to Patio Springs Country Club in Eden, Utah, where he completed the club house, built 9 holes of the golf course, became the Superintendent and then built the infrastructure that supports the Wolf Creek Community. His next professional adventure was becoming the Superintendent of Weber County Fairgrounds where he completed his career. Through all of this, the one constant was his influence and mentorship that impacted the lives of all who worked for him.

  Jake was a master gardener, and the flowers bloomed brighter and the grass grew greener under his green thumb and watchful eye. While balancing his career, he built each of his children a home for their family. Those sturdy homes provided a place for his children to forge memories with his 10 grandchildren. In his retirement, he enjoyed using his carpentry skills to build stunning furniture for his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends. Each piece he made was solid, beautiful, and built with loving hands.  

Jake was a meat and potatoes, good cup of coffee, and a hearty slice of pie kind of man. He was proud of his country and served in the Washington National Guard.  He loved Marty Robbins and attempted to impart this love on his grandchildren during their Sunday visits.  He found infinite value in a good pair of broken-in cowboy boots.  He enjoyed a golf tournament and Jazz basketball on mute and watching a horse race with an unlikely winner down the stretch. He was blessed with wonderful neighbors and lifelong friends. It was apparent to anyone who knew him that Jake loved his family and worked tirelessly to provide for them. He celebrated his family’s accomplishments and offered thoughtful advice when life became hard– he had a saying for every occasion. Jake was a huge presence in our lives and will be greatly missed. Yet those of us left behind find great peace in the knowledge that his life was long and well-lived, and that in death he is reunited with the love of his life, Pauline.

Jake was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline, his parents, his siblings, and his granddaughter, Rebecca. He is survived by his children: Farrell (Pat) Woods, Dolph (Becky) Woods, Paula Woods, and David (Debbie) Woods, his grandchildren: Rachel (Phil), Katie (Dave), Jenny (Titus), Christine (Kevin), Casey (Shauna), Carly (Damien), Clint (Amy), David (Erin), Matthew (Giavanna) and his 19 great-grandchildren.  

There will be a graveside memorial service for family and friends on Monday, April 4, 2022 at 1:00 pm to celebrate and honor the life of Robert Jacob Woods.  It will be held at Ben Lomond Cemetery, 526 East 2850 North, North Ogden, UT 84414.