Gene Woods

Gene Woods was born in Ogden, Utah on October 18, 1949 to Arthur and Maxine Woods. As a young man he was a bb gun sharp shootist. He loved recounting stories of his youth that all started with ""Me and my friends…"" and ended with ""…and then I ran."" Gene attended Ben Lomond High School, in Ogden, Utah. He was one of the first four-sport athletes in Utah, excelling in football, baseball, basketball, and track and field. He graduated in 1968 and then served a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Western States Mission. After returning from his mission he married the love of his life, Robyn Arslanian, on November 12, 1971 in the Salt Lake City, UT Temple. Gene and Robyn moved to Colorado in 1974. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and complete his education. He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Physical Education in 1980. After graduating from CSU, they moved to Arvada, Colorado where they have resided for the past 28 years, raising their four children. Gene was the ultimate family man. Everything he attempted he excelled at, but his greatest accomplishment was his family. Gene is an active member of the LDS Church and had many callings. He spent countless hours coaching his daughters and son in every sport. He not only touched the lives of his own children, but the lives of others, both on and off the field. Gene was looking forward to coaching his grandchildren one day. He will be the angel in the outfield. Gene had an amazing sense of humor and an unforgettable, contagious laugh. He enjoyed working in his yard, fishing, camping, traveling, watching classic western movies, playing games and cards with his friends, hosting bbq's in his backyard, and building bird houses. People always knew when they were in Gene's neighborhood because every neighbor had a bird house. Above all, his greatest joy was spending time with his family. To his friends he was known as Gene, #9 (a number worn by his kids and grandchildren), or Woods, but his favorite title was husband, dad, grandpa and boopa. He had a successful insurance agency and conducted business the same way he lived his life, with integrity. Gene fought a valiant battle against a rare cancer for 11 months. Through it all, he never uttered a complaint. He truly cared for the people that cared for him. He always looked people in the eye, and took the time to know their names and express his appreciation. Gene spent his final days recounting memories and fun stories with his family. When faced with adversity, Gene would quietly sing his favorite hymn: ""There is Sunshine in my Soul."" As his family gathered round him in his last days, they sang this song to him. As they started the 2nd verse, he simply smiled and said, ""The first verse was always enough for me. If I needed more, I just sang the first verse again."" Gene Woods lived life and loved others to the fullest. He had an abundant life, fitting more in his 61 years than time can account for. We can picture angels gathered around him. Life stories are told. Smiles are had. Tears are shed. Boisterous laughter fills the heavens. Then, a fitting ending to it all: we can hear him say, ""And then I ran."" We love you Dad. We love you Grandpa. We love you Gene. Gene is survived by his wife, Robyn Woods; children, Tiffany (Jeff) Tippets, Melissa (Mike) Nielson, Shawn (AnnaMarie) Woods, and Allyson (Nate) Ragland; 9 grandchildren, Easton, Eden, Ethan, Elle, Cade, Haley, Sawyer Sarkis, Bristol, Lilia; mother, Maxine Peterson, 3 sisters, Ruthann, Paulette, Tracie, and a brother, Allan. Funeral services will be held on Friday April 15th at 11:00am in Arvada, Colorado at the LDS Arvada Stake Center Chapel, located at 7080 Independence. Family and friends may call on Thursday evening between 6-8:00 pm at Horan and McConaty Mortuary located at 7577 West 80th Avenue in Arvada, Colorado, and the following day at 10am at the church before the funeral service. Interment will be at the Golden Cemetery following the service. Donations can be made in Gene's name to the following organizations: Collier Hospice Center, 3210 Lutheran Parkway, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. Or you can also make a donation to: Missionary Perpetual Education Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. Anyone can donate online to through the LDS Philanthropies site at https://secure3.convio.net/ldsp/site/Donation2?df_id=1480&1480.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr004=vox5zpvkd1.app331a Members of the Church can also contribute by using the standard Tithing and Other Offerings slip (mark Perpetual Education Fund) at their local meetinghouse. In Memoriam Donations by Mail: 1. Make your check payable to Perpetual Education Fund. [If the donor is a member of the Church please write down the membership number in the check]. United States dollars preferred. 2.Include a note with the following information. -Name of deceased -Name of person to receive acknowledgement -Relationship to deceased -Street address -City -State -Postal Code -Name of donor -Donor address -Street -City -State -Postal Code *If there are additional donors, please list their information on mthe back of the note or form. 3. Mail your note (or form) and check to this address: Perpetual Education Fund, 50 East North Temple Street, Room 1521, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 United States of America Please share your memories of Gene and condolences with his family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" button.