WOOD, James B. (1944-2021)

WOOD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/4/2022 at 23:40:57

James Boyd Wood
(February 4, 1944 - January 22, 2021)

Private family services for James “Jim” Boyd Wood, 76, of Norwalk, IA, who passed away Friday, January 22, 2021, will be held Thursday, January 28, 2021. Friends may join the family on our Livestream on Jim’s obituary page of Overton Funeral Home’s website beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in the Linn Grove Cemetery, rural Norwalk.
Public visitation with family present will be held 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at Overton Funeral Home. Face masks are required. Memorial contributions will be accepted and will be used for a worthy cause within the Norwalk School District in honor of Jim.
James “Jim” Boyd Wood was born to Boyd Henry and Thelma Maxine Wood on February 4, 1944. He spent his early years living in several houses and farms around Warren county. As a child, Jim spent time on the family dairy farm and even began driving a tractor at the age of 7. James attended Linn Grove school and eventually Norwalk schools where he graduated in 1962. In high school, Jim participated in football, basketball and baseball. He was also a member of the choir, and men’s quartet. He was active in many church events and activities including MYF and choir and he developed a strong faith that continued all throughout his life. After high school, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Lockbourne, Ohio.
Jim met the love of his life, Connie Lea Walker at a very young age and they attended the same school and church all their lives. Jim and Connie were born only one month and one day apart and it has been said that after Connie was born, Maxine told Connie’s mom Ada that she would have to have a boy for her girl. Who would have known that 21 years later in the summer of 1965, Jim would propose and they would begin their life together, uniting in marriage in January, 1966. A real-life love story, Jim and Connie just celebrated 55 years of marriage this year. During their union, the couple was blessed with 4 children. Alan James Wood was born in October 1969 and Ted Forest Wood was born in May 1972. Andrew Phillip Wood was born in September 1976, and Amber Lynn Wood was born in June 1983.
After his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1969, Jim worked for Continental Western as an underwriter. He and Connie purchased the home and acreage that they have resided on ever since, and he also began farming on the side. Later, Jim began his own business hauling milk from farms all over Iowa. He would rise early in the morning and drive as the sun rose, many times more than 300 miles each day, 7 days per week. After many years driving the milk truck, Jim sold the milk route and trucks and went to work for Solar Transport driving a gas truck. It is hard to say just how many miles Jim must have covered in all his years driving and the list of things he hauled was extensive. From milk to water, gas, eggs, concrete, mail and more. He even drove a school bus while in high school to transport students to the cafeteria in another building. In recent years he retired, but still drove a school bus for Norwalk Community School district. Known as “Mister Jim” to all the kids, he was a beloved friend and someone who really cared about them. Besides driving kids to school, he also drove the bus to many sporting events for football, basketball, tennis, softball, track, band and choir. Besides driving, Jim enjoyed attending the events he drove to, often talking to the players and coaches afterwards and commenting on the game.
Jim cheered for several different sports teams over the years, but more than anything he was a Norwalk Warrior at heart. One of Jim’s greatest joys in life was watching his kids and grandkids grow up and supporting them in their activities. From sports to music and dance, he enjoyed going to all their events no matter how far. Family meant everything to him, and he had a big love for family gatherings and of course the food that was shared. Connie was his favorite cook and when it came to her signature dishes like her famous cinnamon rolls, nobody else compared. Jim enjoyed travelling and took his family on many vacations. Road trips were his favorite and he very much enjoyed going to the mountains. He traveled to Alaska 3 times and made many memories and brought back lots of stories and beautiful photos. He really was the ultimate storyteller. He loved telling stories and his family loved listening. He could talk to anyone and rarely knew a stranger.
Jim passed away Friday, January 22, 2021 at the age of 76 and our world will never be the same. Survivors include his wife, Connie Wood; children, Alan (Julie) Wood, Ted (Amy) Wood, Andrew (Lindsey Harman) Wood, and Amber (Chad) Martin; grandchildren, Nicholas (Liz) Wood, Patrick (Jenny) Wood, Carrie (Kyle) Thompson, Tiegen (Chanda) Wood, Zachary (Emily) Wood, Treyor Wood, Teddi Wood, Ezra Harman-Wood, Preston Martin, Shepard Harman-Wood, Sterling Harman-Wood and Eva Martin; great grandchildren, Hudson, Mayer, Forest, Carter, Leland, Layla and Saige; sisters, Wanda (Keith) Davenport, and Peggy (Gary) Myer; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Onstot, Helen Cook, Judy (Charlie) Vasey and Marilyn Walker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Boyd and Thelma Maxine Wood. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/