April 27, 1946 – June 7, 2022 (age 76)
Steven Reed Wood, 76, beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully at his home in Las Vegas on June 7, 2022.
Steven was born April 27, 1946, in Brigham City, Utah, to Reed D. Wood and Elva Davis Wood. Steven grew up and attended school in Logan, Utah. After graduating from South Cache High School, Utah, he joined the U.S. Army and later completed U.S. Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) and U.S. Army Flight School. Steven served his country in the Army during the Vietnam War and the Cold War. He received the Vietnam Service Medal w/4 Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Army Aviator Badge and Air Medal w/Numeral 2 & “V” Device awards along with countless other honors during his more than two decades of service. Steven went on to become the top trainer for the Bell AH1 Cobra for the U.S. West region – an area that included everything west of the Mississippi River. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 and was honorably discharged as a 24-year distinguished Army Aviator in 1989.
Steven married Ana Wong on September 4, 1971, in Schenectady, N.Y. He went on to raise a family with two sons, Greg Wood and Ryan Wood, while completing his military duty assignments in Hopkinsville, Ky. (Fort Campbell), Fulda, Germany (US Army Airfield), Monterey, Calif. (Fort Ord) and Killeen, Texas (Fort Hood). After retiring from the Army, Steven relocated with his family to Las Vegas, Nev.
Steven rejoined the gaming industry, a job that he had for a brief time after serving a tour in the Vietnam War (August 1968 – September 1969). In Las Vegas, Steven worked his way up to become the General Manager of The Lady Luck Casino in downtown Las Vegas. He was the last one out of the casino when it closed its doors on February 6, 2006. Later he also held management positions at other gaming companies prior to his retirement.
Steven gave back to the Spanish Hills Ward offering to lend an ear and a hand to anyone that needed it. He was also known for being a good storyteller. Steven also helped provide childcare to his granddaughter Ella Wood, which brought him much joy. He also pursued some of his childhood hobbies like building and flying RC planes and helicopters and constructing a Lionel train set for his grandchildren to enjoy. Steven loved his family and would do anything he could for them always.
Steven is survived by his former wife, Ana Wood, Las Vegas, Nev.; children, Greg (Erin) Wood, Pacifica, Calif., and Ryan (Victoria) Wood, Las Vegas, Nev.; grandchildren Taylor Wood, Ella Wood, Charlotte Wood and a grandson on the way. He is also survived by his sister Bette Buckner, Las Vegas, Nev., and brother Doug (Karma) Wood, River Heights, Utah.
Steven was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Kathy West and Julie Miller and brother Bob Wood.
A private internment ceremony will be held at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nev. with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers or cards, Steven’s family requests that you may honor Steven’s life with a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society at https://alz.org