James P. Woods III, 62, of Salem, died Friday, Dec. 8, 2006, after a brief illness. He was the son of James P. Woods Jr. and Kate Murray Woods, who preceded him in death as did his daughter, Riley. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Woods, of Salem and two sons, Michael of Gainesville, Fla., and Casey and wife, Julie, of Sandpoint, Idaho.
Jimmy was a graduate of The Episcopal High School and Williams College. After graduation, he attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge where he studied history under the renowned Southern historian, T. Harry Williams. Jimmy had an agile mind and was a gifted athlete. He spent his early adult years in Ketchum, Idaho, where he taught history and English at The Community School. Following that, Jimmy was for many years the academic advisor to the United States Olympic Ski Team in Park City, Utah. He was also an avid sports memorabilia collector and trader and traveled throughout the United States in the pursuit of what became for him an avocation and a vocation.
He enjoyed playing golf with his friends and began each round with his customary exclamation: Hit two, take the best one. From his earliest student days and throughout his entire life, Jimmy maintained warm and affable relationships with a large number of close friends who knew and loved him. He was a devoted husband and a profoundly dedicated father. Jimmy touched many lives, and those he encountered were the beneficiaries of his warm and generous spirit. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten by all who knew him.
A private interment was held Tuesday morning, Dec. 12, 2006, and a memorial service was conducted at 1 p.m. that same day at St. Pauls Episcopal Church, Salem. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jimmy's name either to Good Samaritan Hospice, 3825 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA 24018, or to The Episcopal High School, 1200 North Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302. Arrangements were by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem.
On-line condolences may be made at www.johnmoakey.com.
