George F. Wood: 1943 – March 14, 2026

George F. Wood of Montecito, CA passed away Saturday, March 14, 2026. He was born in 1943 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to parents, Miriam and George F. Wood. He was the grandson of Fremont County, Wyoming pioneer doctor, W. Francis Smith. George is survived by his wife, Beth Wood, his soul mate and best friend of 34 years, his son, Tod Wood and his granddaughters, Nalani and Sienna. In addition, he is survived by his nieces and nephews who always treasured their time with him and loved him deeply. One of his passions was mentoring young people and he took great joy in watching them grow and be successful!

George spent his youth exploring and developing a love of the great outdoors in Wyoming. From humble beginnings, George received a scholarship to the Colorado School of Mines, earning a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and then went on to the University of Chicago’s School of Business where he received an MBA. His education landed him employment as an investment analyst and eventually a partner at Stein Roe & Farnham in Chicago, IL.

George always loved the west and decided to head back home to Denver, Colorado to start his own investment firm in 1982. Through hard work, determination, a desire to help people as well as a passion for the investment process, he started Wood and Co. George felt deeply that counseling was the most important part of his work. He had an intuitive sense of others’ needs and wants. He combined what was truly important to his clients with his expertise and latest research to create investment accounts with individual stocks and bonds tailored to each client. He treated all his clients with respect and integrity. He took a true and strong interest in those around him, resulting in many of his clients becoming lifelong close friends.

In the span of 34 years, George built an incredibly successful investment management firm in Denver. In 2014, he merged his firm with Wally Obermeyer’s Obermeyer Asset Management of Aspen, CO, becoming Obermeyer Wood Investment Counsel. George remained a partner until his retirement in 2019, a remarkable 50-year career!

George enjoyed giving back to his alma mater, the Colorado School of Mines, by chairing their foundation investment committee for 15 years and serving as member of their Board of Governors. 

George continued his love of the west with his wife, Beth, hiking and skiing in their homes in Aspen and Steamboat Springs. They frequently enjoyed hiking and camping with llamas in the mountains of Colorado. George also loved the water and spent years exploring the inland passage between Vancouver Island and British Columbia by boat. Later, he loved being the captain of the Fun Machine, their boat in the Santa Barbara Marina.

George touched the hearts of people everywhere he went and will be remembered with love and fondness by his friends and family. May you roam free again with the “Jackelopes” in the Rocky Mountains, George!  

A small family service to remember George is being planned. If you would care to remember George, contributions are being made to the Friendship Center, 89 Eucalyptus Lane, Montecito, CA 93108.