Obituary

George Clifford Wood, 86, of West Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

George was born on September 28, 1939, in Villisca, Iowa, the son of Clifford DeVere and Melba (Hayes) Wood. He received his education in Creston, Iowa, graduating in 1957. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Drake University in Des Moines and later a Master’s degree from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio.

On June 10, 1961, George was united in marriage to Jane Shepard at Sweetland Church near Muscatine, Iowa. He served his country in the United States Air Force.

George began his career with IBM in Dayton and was later transferred to Des Moines, where he retired after 30 years of service. Following his retirement, he was an integral part of TRG, where he was involved in the development of the Palm Pilot and later worked in sales.

He was instrumental in starting the soccer program at Valley High School, where he also coached and refereed for many years. George enjoyed golfing, timing at swim meets, and traveling with Jane throughout the United States and abroad.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

George is survived by his wife, Jane; his children, Brian (Sarah) Wood of Muscatine, Iowa, Craig (Janice) Wood of Overland Park, Kansas, and Beth (Mark) Lowe of Peoria, Illinois; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Johnston, where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. Private family burial will be at Harker Cemetery near Muscatine, Iowa.

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