DAVID J. WOOD

David J. Wood, 68, of Elburn, IL passed away suddenly on May 19, 2024.  David was born on July 6, 1955, to David and Ruth Wood (nee Johnson) in Virginia, Minnesota.

David grew up in Geneva, IL and attended local schools, eventually graduating from Geneva High School, class of 1973.  After graduating from high school David took some classes in electronics and Swedish at Waubonsee Community College as well as Elgin Community College.  David worked for Accutronics in Geneva making Hammond Organs.  After leaving Accutronics he started to work for GTE Automatic Electric, AT&T’s biggest competition at the time. Dave had a passion for the technology behind telephones, televisions, and computers and he understood their intricacies in depth. Another passion of David’s was music.  He combined his love of music with his knowledge of electronics to work the sound board for many area bands.

David was a proud member of the Subaru Club of America because of his vast love of cars.  His Uncle Harold Johnson loved cars, and soon David was fascinated by cars as well, especially Harold’s 1920 Ford Model T and his 1930 Ford Model A Roadster. David loved tinkering with anything that had an engine. He was fascinated by cars, boats, planes, and trains.  He loved to learn how all the parts worked together to make them run.  In his free time, he would build computers, work on any type of car, and read up on antique cars.  He especially loved cars from the 60’s and knew them inside and out, even down to the taillights. 

David was meticulous to a fault.  Everything in his world was organized.  Everything had a place and everything in its place; order brought peace to David. He felt content when he had control of the world around him.  Even when it came to his love of music, he would start with the bands that started with A in his vinyl record collection and continue all the way through Z and start all over again.  This process would take him years, his music collection was very large and eclectic. Although David loved technology, he was proud of the fact that he never owned a television.

Growing up David had pet Schnauzers and his love for Schnauzers stayed with him his entire life.  In 2017 David got a miniature schnauzer, Ray from his friend Ruth.  He adoringly named Ray Radar because of his very large ears.  Radar and David were a perfect pair and as David went through his health issues, Radar stuck by his side through it all.  Radar was his biggest cheerleader and even laid with him in his final moments, refusing to leave his side.

Due to David having Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency he struggled to do physical tasks that most of us take for granted and do so on a daily basis, but after a lung transplant in May 2022, David was finally able to do things he hadn’t been able to do for over 25 years.  His last year was the best year of his life, and he was immensely proud of all his achievements big and small; he was extremely grateful for every moment and day he had.  David will be dearly missed by his family and friends.  He was a one of a kind, well spoken, complex, intelligent man, with impeccable manners, and a legacy that will outlive him.

David is survived by his sister-in-Law, Sandy Wood; his loving nieces and nephews: Jennifer Wood, Jonathan (Jen) Wood, Jessica (J.P.) Sweeney, James (Kim) Wood, and Joshua Wood; his grand nieces and nephews: Ensley and Colson Sweeney and Easton and Lily Wood; his cousin, Linda Johnson; his dear friend of over fifty years, Ruth Rowe; his loving canine companion, Radar and a whole family of friends.

David is reunited with his parents, David and Ruth Wood; his brother, Bob Wood; his aunts and uncle: Astrid Johnson, Margaret Johnson, Mildred Johnson, and Harold (Ruth) Johnson.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 3, 2024, from 10:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. at Conley Funeral Home 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A service to celebrate David’s faith will be held immediately following visitation at 11:00a.m. also at Conley Funeral Home.  Interment will follow the service at Union Cemetery in St. Charles, IL followed by a celebration of life luncheon at Mary Campbell’s house, 5N056 Wooley Road, Maple Park, IL 60151.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in David’s name for The Trevor Project. Checks may be made to the “David Wood Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.