James Berkley Woods

James Berkley Woods was born on July 4th, 1942 in Slaton, TX to Mary Annelle and Limmie Berkley Woods. He was born at home and delivered by his grandfather, Dr. Limmie Bradford Woods. James was the first born to Mary and Berkley and he was the smallest baby of 5 but he ended up having the biggest personality!James grew up with his brother Tommy and sister Mary. His sisters, Jo Nell and Kay Lynn came along as he was finishing high school graduating from Lubbock High School in 1960. Still a teenager, he fell in love with Jolene Wilson and they were wed on April 15, 1961. There was no doubt that James and Jolene wanted children so they began their family on November 2, 1962 when their precious baby girl was born, Ginger Rae. Soon, another baby came along on a stormy night when sister Mary was graduating Lubbock High, a sweet baby boy joined the family.  James Scott was born May 27, 1966.James worked at the Baker Company in Lubbock but the bigger city was calling his name and he moved to Ft. Worth, TX. He began his long loyal career with 3M in 1968 and after 35 years retiring in 2003.Having a personality that required social interaction and someone to joke with, staying retired was not in James' future. He drove a school bus for Godley ISD and much to his family's surprise, he liked the children and talked about many of them and cared deeply for them.During his years of working at 3M, Ginger grew up and married Britt Barnard and they had two children, Casey and Clay. Scott also grew up and became a successful business man that James loved to talk about how proud he was of him.As life goes, things change and James decided to move back to Lubbock in 2010. He joined a square dance club which was an activity he loved when he was younger and quickly became a regular at Lubbock Area Square & Round Dance. He loved to take Sunday drives that took him to small towns that some of us had never heard of, studied trains and had regular calls with brother Tommy to share their love of railroading - especially steam engines. Most recently, James began a new hobby of pencil sketching leaving his family with some beautiful drawings that will be kept and cherished.James loved to tell jokes and he never met a stranger, but what James loved the most was his family. He talked about Ginger and Scott, Casey and Clay a lot, but in most recent years his new love was his 5 great grandchildren Elsie, Charlotte, Noah, Harper, and Brooklyn.  James also maintained the status of big brother and liked to keep tabs on his "little sisters" here in Lubbock. He is also the one we counted on in keeping in contact with cousins, aunts, uncles and family friends. James also loved to meet his neighbors and was blessed with many friendships.James accepted Christ into his life many years ago and he told Ginger he remembers the day he was saved. As a family, we have no doubt that he is with our Mama & Daddy, and sister Mary where they are patiently waiting for the rest of us.Survivors include his daughter, Ginger Rae Barnard and husband, Britt of Colleyville; son, James Scott Woods of Amarillo; grandchildren, Casey Michelle Maitre and husband, Leon of Azle; Clay Barnard and wife, Rachel of Hurst; great-grandchildren, Elsie Rae Barnard, Noah Barnard, Harper Barnard, Charlotte Maitre, and Brooklyn Maitre; siblings, Tommy Woods and wife, Marilyn of Lillian; Jonell Lamar and husband, Herschel of Lubbock; Kay Woods Richardson and husband, Wendell of Lubbock; brother-in-law, Gary McKenzie of South Carolina; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary McKenzie.James died on Sunday, May 26th, 2019 and he will be greatly missed.