Eugene McRae Wood

Eugene McRae Wood of Salt Lake City, Utah joined his wife in heaven on December 8, 2023 at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah surrounded by his sons and loving family. Eugene was born on August 28, 1942 to Everett and Roene Wood in Salt Lake City, Utah. When Eugene was born, he was turning blue and needed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. He was then immediately put in the first automatic incubator at the LDS Hospital for three months. Because the incubator gave him too much oxygen, it caused his blindness. Eugene was named after his doctor and great uncle Eugene Wood for saving his life and bringing him into this world.

As a young boy, Eugene loved to spend time on his family’s dry farm, ride around in the truck, and go over all the bumpy terrain. Eugene had a love for music and would spend hours listening to different stations and 50’s music. Eugene went to school at the School for the Blind in Ogden, Utah and graduated in 1963. In May of 1966, Eugene reconnected with his wife and they eventually married on May 25, 1967 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Despite their physical challenges of blindness, Eileen and Eugene raised two devoted and selfless sons, Brian and Brent.

Eugene is preceded in death by his wife, Eileen Wood; father, Everett Wood; mother, Roene Wood; brother, Jerry Wood; and great-granddaughter, Rhylinn Wood. Eugene is survived by his son, Brian (Amanda); son, Brent (Tania); six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.