Don Eugene Woods

Carmel, Indiana- Don Eugene Woods, 59, was born on January 30, 1957, and grew up in Pendleton, Indiana. He passed away unexpectedly at home on July 2, 2016. Don graduated from Pendleton Heights High School and Purdue University. Don was a founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Information Officer for Polaris Laboratories, LLC, a company with labs in four countries. Polaris was listed on the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies list multiple times and was twice nominated for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. After Don’s former employer was acquired and shut down in 1999, Don started Polaris with other partners and re-hired employees let go from the previous employer. Don had a strong competitive spirit, tempered by compassion and a sense of fairness and sportsmanship.

Don’s life revolved around family, business and golf. When he was younger, Don was an avid tennis player and golfer and was a competitive backgammon player who repeatedly won the Indiana Backgammon Club’s annual tournament.

He enjoyed his daughter Alexandra’s karate progress and violin concerts, and his daughter Samantha’s volleyball games and cheerleading. Don particularly enjoyed working through math and science homework with the girls and preparing Sunday family breakfasts.

Don is survived by his wife, Jennifer (Hays) Woods; his twin daughters, Alexandra and Samantha; his three brothers, Larry (Karen) Woods, Lawrence Carl Woods and Mark (Susann) Woods; as well as nieces, Shanna Woods, Kara Robinson and Kena Swanson.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Norma Jean Woods.

A public visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory, Lahm Chapel, 211 E. State St., Pendleton, Indiana 46064. At the family’s request, private services will be held.

Any memorial gifts may be made in Don’s name to the charity of the donor’s choice.