Jim passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, age 69. Memorial service/ celebration of Jim’s life will be Thursday, Feb. 4 at 1:00pm at Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th Street, Kansas City, MO 64112. Reception immediately following at the church. Memorial contributions in Jim’s honor may be sent to Unity Temple Support Ministry, same Unity address.
Jim was born in Marshall, MO on December 14, 1946 to James and Mildred Woods but lived most of his youth in Sedalia, MO where his family owned the Coca Cola Bottling Plant. He attended Smith-Cotton High School where he lettered in track, basketball, and football. He also served as Student Council President. Jim delighted in keeping up with friends from Sedalia, and some friendships go back sixty-five years.
Jim attended William Jewell College in Liberty, MO where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He was Recording Secretary for the fraternity and the 1968 delegate to the national Phi Gamma Delta convention. The “Fiji” brothers became like a second family to Jim, and a large group of them stayed in touch through the years, with regular float trips, fishing trips, and “boys’ week-ends” at Lake of the Ozarks featuring golf, poker, dinners, and lots of laughter. During college Jim lettered on the golf team. He graduated in 1969 with a Business Degree, and he subsequently made his home in Liberty. Much of his adult life he worked as a manufacturer’s rep selling western hats and apparel to western clothing stores in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. He made many wonderful lifelong friends through his long career.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents James and Mildred Woods and his sister Karen Mettler. He is survived by his wife Jeanne Jacobi Woods, daughters Kathryn Woods (Matthew Wall), Jamie Ludwig (Josh), son Richard Howerton (Yvonne), and step-son Grant Long (Charity), and by grandchildren Regan, LillieNan, and Nora Ludwig, Kara and Austin Howerton. His children and grandchildren were the lights of his life!
Jim was a fine athlete at Smith-Cotton and a good role model for others. In my association with Jim, I cannot remember him having a “bad day”. His outlook on life will always be remembered as positive and optimistic.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. He was a great friend. I have many fond high school memories of Jim at Smith-Cotton.
My prayers to the family.
Certainly Jim will be missed! He was always polite, kind and very well mannered. Enjoyed seeing him at our Kelley’s reunion at Westport twice a year with fond memories. Blessings to his family! May God be with you at this time of sorrow.
Thoughts and prayers to all. Always a smile
From Jim.
Condolences to the Woods family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Psalms 147:3 says God, “heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds.” May God bring you comfort and peace.