James A. “Jim” Wood, age 89, passed away Friday, January 31, 2025 after a brief illness.
Jim grew up in central Indiana where he graduated from high school. After serving in the 1st Armored Division of the U.S. Army, he began a study of psychology at Ball State University in Muncie. In the evenings, he patrolled the campus as a university police officer. On weekends, he gave home firearms classes at the local gun range, ending each class with a “trick” shooting demonstration, firing a .38 revolver in each hand. After a few years, he and his wife, Elizabeth, moved to Arlington, Texas and he continued his study of psychology at the University of Texas while working as a deputy for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Dept. After taking numerous specialized training courses, he was promoted to serve in the Criminal Investigation Division working with the investigators and Texas Rangers who assisted with major cases. After completing twenty years he was awarded a Master Peace Officer certification and became a guest instructor at Dallas Baptist University in the Criminal Justice Department, teaching police firearms.
When he retired, he and his wife moved to Smithville, Tennessee and Jim soon became the Administrative Assistant to the DeKalb County Sheriff and writer for the Middle Tennessee Times. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce and was voted Mr. DeKalb County. A dozen of his short stories have been published in various national magazines as well as seven e-books using the Texas Rangers he worked with as inspiration. He jokingly says that he had ridden with them although the riding was done in cars to go to lunch and not on horseback.
Jim often mentioned fond memories of the church families and connections with Whorton Springs Baptist Church, Blues Hill Cumberland Presbyterian, and Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Churches.
In May 2024, Jim and Elizabeth moved to Clayton, GA to be closer to Elizabeth’s daughter.
He was born in McDonald PA, the son of the later Thomas James Wood and Dorothy Radcliffe Dorothy Radcliffe Wood Smiley Knight Skinner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by half-Sister, Darla Smiley Hickman.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth Coleman Wood; daughter, Angela Kae Wood Cortner Williams of Muncie IN; two sons, Bradley James Wood, Muncie IN, Christopher Lynn Wood, Atlanta, GA; stepdaughter, Shirley Maxwell-Wood, Clayton GA and a numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren also survive.
Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, was in charge of the arrangements.
An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.
