Glenn Woods

Glenn attended public schools from kindergarten through high school and graduated from Thatcher High School in 1953. After high school, he attended and graduated from Eastern Arizona College in 1955. At that time, Glenn was called to serve a two-and-a-half-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Finland. During his mission, Glenn’s father reactivated in the church, and his parents then served a mission in West Virginia.

After returning home, Glenn enrolled at Arizona State University where he majored in advertising and journalism, receiving his bachelor’s degree. Because of his interest in teaching, which developed in the mission field, he returned to the College of Education and received a teaching certification. While he was attending ASU, he met a special young lady by the name of Linda Lloyd, and after a little while, they began dating. On September 9, 1960, Glenn and Linda were married in the Mesa LDS Temple. 

Glenn’s first teaching positions were in Queen Creek at the Arizona Boys Ranch, and later in Mesa Schools. He completed his master’s degree at Arizona State University and moved into educational administration as the assistant principal of Palo Verde School in Phoenix. While working as principal of Orangewood School, the opportunity came to accept a position in Glenn’s hometown of Thatcher. Because the family had grown to nine children, Glenn felt that a smaller community might be better for their development and success. The Woods family moved to Thatcher in 1980, and Glenn became the principal for both the Jack Daley Primary School and Thatcher Elementary School until his retirement in 1997.

Glenn was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. While in Phoenix, Glenn served in the Glendale Stake 70’s Quorum Presidency, a stake mission, and as second counselor in the 36^th Ward Bishopric. In Thatcher, Glenn served in three bishoprics, twice as a counselor, and as the Bishop of Thatcher 1^st Ward. He served twice on the Thatcher Stake High Council. Following retirement, Glenn and Linda served together in the Mesa Temple for five years. In October 2005, they were called on a Family and Church History Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the Guest Services area. After they returned from their mission, they served in The Gila Valley Temple for many years. During this time, Glenn was called to be the Thatcher Stake Patriarch. 

All six of Glenn’s sons served missions to Argentina, Florida, Chile (2), Kentucky-Louisville, and Idaho. 

Glenn was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, principal, and friend. He will be missed by so many.

Glenn is survived by his wife of 62 years, Linda Lloyd; children, Randall (Natalie) of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Patricia (Mike) Gardner of Phoenix; Richard (Pamela) of Thatcher; Robert-deceased (Susan) of Tempe; Michael (Kimberly) of San Tan Valley; Jennifer (Jerry) Hampton of Houston, Texas; Daniel of Mesa; Steven (Danielle) of Cave Creek; and Donna (David) Williams of Lexington, Tennessee; 26 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Glenn was preceded in death by his mother, Irene Layton; his father, Bailey Ray Woods; his four brothers, Bailey Ray Woods, Jr. (Woody), Varin B. Woods, Harold J. Woods (Hack), and O. Kent Woods; and his son, Robert Ray Woods.

Funeral services for Glenn will be conducted Friday, May 26, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at the Thatcher Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Bishop Rhett Dodge of the Thatcher First Ward. Concluding services will follow in the Thatcher Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening, May 25, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the Vining Funeral Home and Friday morning, May 26, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., at the Thatcher Stake Center Relief Society Room of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those who would like to attend the services via Facebook Live can join on Vining Funeral Home's Facebook page, Friday morning, May 26, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. (MST).