Atwood, Leland "Red" 1934-2022

ATWOOD, SAGE, SMITH, MCLAUGHLIN, MILLER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/26/2022 at 19:03:10

Leland "Red" Atwood
May 30, 1934 - May 22, 2022

Leland "Red" Atwood of Colfax, went to be with the Lord Sunday May 22, 2022, surrounded by his family.

Red was born on May 30, 1934, in Des Moines, Iowa to Snowden and Ruth Atwood. He grew up in Colfax and attended Green Castle Country School and graduated from Mingo High School in 1953. While at Green Castle School, ten-year-old Red was selected for the feature role in the Iowa Education film Lunch for Johnny. This would be the start of Red's many life adventures.

In 1955, following high school, Red enlisted in the US Army and did basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He then went to infantry training and was interviewed and selected for the prestigious honor of joining the Presidential Honor Guard in Arlington, Virginia. Red loved being in the military and enjoyed telling stories about his time in the honor guard where he participated in multiple military burials on a daily basis. Red was on the firing squad and part of ceremonial burials every half hour at Arlington National Cemetery. While in the army, Red who was an avid square dancer, auditioned for a position in the Green Mountain Cloggers and got the job. Red was a featured Clogger on Eastern Seaboard television sharing the stage with Patsy Cline and Jimmy Dean. Red enjoyed visiting with Patsy backstage and has been a lifelong fan.

In 1957 Red completed his service to our country and returned to Colfax where he met and fell in love with the accordion player at his coming home party. Judy Kay Sage was married to Red Atwood in June of 1958. The couple made their home in Colfax and welcomed 3 children over the next 6 years. Regina, Jodi and Scott. Red was a great dad and loved teaching his children how to fish, play sports and cards and always gave them great advice.

Red was engaged in farming and in 1966 was recruited by a local Pioneer seed corn salesman to help him grow the business. Red had a big personality and didn't know a stranger. It was the perfect fit for his gregarious personality. He then established Atwood Sales and Service, seeds of all kinds and became one of the top seed salesmen for Pioneer in the state of Iowa. He was awarded Pioneers top 20 club honor more than 20 times throughout his career.

Red was very active in the Colfax Methodist church serving as Sunday School Superintendent for 6 years, missing only 4 Sundays. He later became a Sunday School teacher and UMYF leader.

Many Iowans know Red as the founder and owner of Trainland USA, the 2nd largest model railroad in the country. To say that Red loved trains, would be an understatement. His first layout started in the family basement but after seeing a large layout in Spirit Lake Iowa, Red had the dream of building something much bigger that would be open to the public and would bring joy to those from 1 to 101. In 1976, Red built a new home with the entire lower level to become Trainland USA. He then recruited 32 of his friends and neighbors to spend their winter nights in the basement building his dream. It took 32 people 4 ½ years to complete the project. It opened to the public in June of 1981 and more than 500 people showed up to witness Red's dream. Trainland USA was featured on ABC nightly news along with dozens of other TV networks, local stations and Newspapers. Peter Jennings, George McGovern and John Chancellor were just a few of the well know names that visited the museum.

In 1993, Red lost his beloved wife Judy to cancer and in 1996 Red married another Judy, Judy Smith from Newton. Judy fortunately quickly became interested in the train business and helped run Trainland until the time of his passing.

In addition to his well-known love of trains, Red also kept busy in the winter playing Santa. For over 50 years Red would put on the red suit and white beard and deliver gifts to many children. He eventually teamed up with the Colfax Kiwanis Club and delivered gifts to those less fortunate. Red loved kids and loved playing Santa. Many kids in the area still believe he was the REAL Santa.

Red had a passion for nature and the great outdoors and loved fishing and hunting. He also enjoyed listening to music while playing cards with his family. Many hours were spent around the family piano singing old hymns and Statler Brother's songs.

Those left to honor Red's memory include his wife, Judy of 26 years; children, Regina (John) McLaughlin of Colfax, Jodi (Rick) Atwood-Miller of Excelsior, Minnesota, Scott (Dawn) Atwood of Colfax; stepchildren Stephen Smith of Des Moines, Timothy Smith of Cedar Rapids, and Ethan Smith (Melissa) of North Liberty; four grandchildren, Sydney, Conner, Jordan, and Chelsey and step grandchildren, Evan and Austin. Red is preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Snowden Atwood, and first wife, Judy Kay (Sage) Atwood and her parents, Sam and Opal Sage.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 11:00 am at the Colfax United Methodist Church. Burial with Military Rites will be held at McKeever Cemetery following the service. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm at Coburn Funeral Home in Colfax, Iowa. Memorials may be made out to the Colfax Methodist Church as well as the Colfax Fire Association. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com.

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Services
VISITATION
MAY
25
Wednesday
Coburn Funeral Home
24 W Howard Street
Colfax, IA 50045
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

SERVICE
MAY
26
Thursday
United Methodist Church
7 South Locust Street
Colfax, Iowa 50054
Burial will take place at McKeever Cemetery.
11:00 AM ~ The Coburn Funeral Home, Colfax, Iowa 22 May 2022.