Our beloved father and kind soul, Thomas Orson “Tom” Greenwood, age 83, passed away May 7, 2024 at the Millard Care & Rehabilitation Center in Delta, Utah, with his daughter Merrie Jo by his side. He was born April 5, 1941 at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ray Parry Greenwood and Arvilla Hansen Greenwood. He then went on to attend Utah State University for two years until he joined the 115th Engineer Battalion with the Utah Army National Guard in Murray, Utah, as a non-commissioned officer and served from 1963-1969.
On July 10, 1965 he married the love of his life, Marilyn Jo Canoso. They were married in the St. Vincent’s Catholic Church in Murray, Utah. Tom then attended Weber State University and graduated on June 1, 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Tom and Marilyn had three beautiful children Merrie Jo, Amy, and Thomas James (T.J.). They were later divorced in 1991 after Tom’s tragic motorcycle accident in 1984 that left him with a traumatic brain injury. He became the Tom that we grew to love and adore.
Before Tom’s accident, he worked for Utah Power & Light Company. He started out working for Ogden Lines and Service in Ogden, Utah serving as a tree trimmer and draftsman for a short while until UP&L announced the creation of a sales pool. Tom applied for admission, passed the attitude-aptitude test, completed the pool requirements, and was admitted to the pool on October 1, 1968. He received a sales position in Ogden at the young age of 27. The qualities that marked him a successful salesman is that he was neat, organized, articulate, and he got along with others well. In 1975, Tom was promoted to District Manager in the Southwest Region located in Delta, Utah. The family moved the summer of 1975 to Delta. He loved his association of co-workers and friends there. His management and leadership style were of love, respect, and appreciation for those he worked with.
Tom was a dedicated husband and father. He loved riding horses, raising cattle, and participating in rodeos in calf roping and steer wrestling. We would spend a lot of our summers heading to rodeos, and especially to Lagoon, which was our favorite as mom would take us swimming all day while dad participated in qualifying times. He won many saddles and belt buckles. Steer wrestling (bulldogging as he called it) was his favorite. He taught and coached many young men on technique. He served as president of the Rocky Mountain Rodeo Association for many years and helped with the rodeos in Deseret and Hinckley and the Days of ’47 Rodeo among the many professional rodeo circuits. As children, dad always had our horses ready for us after his work day so that we could go and practice our western horsemanship in the back arena by our home. He helped us participate in western horsemanship competitions including barrel racing and royalty events. He also loved to farm and raise hay. He owned property in the Delta South Track area, and we would help him cut and bale hay. We enjoyed our time with him as he always counseled us with kindness and understanding. He taught us well on getting along and treat others with kindness, thoughtfulness, and compassion.
Tom believed in serving his community. He served as the Democratic Chairman where we remember Democratic dignitaries coming to our home where our parents entertained with parties and meet and greets. Tom also served on the Millard County Sheriff’s Posse and loved the men he served with. In the 1983 flood, Tom was able to tap into resources from UP&L and provide huge generators to pump water from the Sevier River. We remember him staying up nights on end, making sure that they were running 24/7. Also in 1983, he escorted Mayor Ted Wilson to a tour of the new IPP site in his capacity as District Manager of UP&L.
Tom loved the outdoors, yard work, country music, playing the piano, and dancing. He was an excellent dancer! But most of all, he loved us and those that served him in the care center. We as his children love him deeply. He will be truly missed by those that were around him. His kindness was beyond measure and his compassion for human beings will always resonate within us.
Tom is survived by his daughters: Merrie Jo (Rick) Smith and Amy Ann (John) Renola; daughter-in-law: Nichole Howa Greenwood; sister: Mildred Anderson; 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his beloved and only son, Thomas James (T.J.) Greenwood; brothers: Ray Parry Jr. Greenwood, Gene Calvin Greenwood; sister: Elaine Welch Singleton; two sets of twins (Donna & Donald; James & Joseph); and his mother and father.
Viewing held Wednesday, May 15, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Nickle Mortuary in Delta, Utah. A Graveside Service held at the Sutherland Cemetery on Thursday, May 16, at 11:00 a.m. Those unable to attend are invited to view the recorded video of the service.
A special thanks to all those wonderful people that took great care of him over the years at Pleasant Acres (Karen Pace & staff), the Diamond D (Jane Ann Draper & staff) and the Millard Care & Rehabilitation Center. We can’t thank you enough for your kindness, devotion, care, and selfless love shown to our father. His happiness there meant the world to us. Thank you so much!
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be given to the Millard Care & Rehabilitation Center or to the Suicide Prevention Organization.