James Oliver Wood, 82, of Warsaw, passed away into the loving arms of the Lord at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 17, 2011, in his residence.
He was born May 23, 1928, in Easley, S.C., to William Lee and Margie Tanksley Wood. On Sept. 7, 1974, in Warsaw, he married Betty Traver Bryan, who died Aug. 28, 2006.
He served in the U.S. Navy as Fireman 2c from 1945-48, in the Asiatic Pacific during World War II. Moving to Warsaw from Stillwell in 1974, he retired from OEC after 15 years of service and was in the trucking industry for 31 years. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge; Scottish Rite, South Bend; Mizpah Shrine, Fort Wayne; and American Legion Post 49, and was past governor of Warsaw Moose Lodge. He was known by granddaughters and great-grandchildren as "Pampi." He will be missed by his family, friends, niece and nephews.
He will be lovingly remembered by a daughter, Marlene (and spouse Michael) Bumbaugh, Warsaw; two granddaughters, Melissa (and spouse James) Willard and Monica (and spouse Jonah) Best, all of Warsaw; five great-grandchildren, Michaela, Keegan, Shelby, Anthony and Sydney; and a sister, Mary "Francis" Waldrop, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Eunice Wood, who died in 1973; a brother, Ralph Wood; and an infant son.
A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, officiated by Pastor E.J. Underwood of Warsaw Community Church, Warsaw, and with military honors by members of American Legion Post 49 and Veterans of Foreign Wars 1126.
Calling is from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
*****
Memorials may be made to the Animal Welfare League, P.O. Box 1906, Warsaw, IN 46581-1906; or Shriner's Hospitals for Children, 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707
Condolences may be sent via www.titusfuneralhome.com
