James Alexander Atwood Sr.

Mr. Atwood was born December 1, 1925, in Sumrall, Mississippi, to the late Webster G. Atwood and Tabitha M. Atwood. He enlisted in the United States Navy at 17 years of age during WWII. He went on to serve his nation in the U.S. Navy for over twenty years where he also saw service in the Korean Theatre of Operations during the Korean War. Mr. Atwood was most proud of his time spent as a field medic with the United States Marine Corps and as a member of the commissioning crew of the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). Mr. Atwood also served as a crewmember aboard both the USS Repose (AH-16) and the USS Proton (AKS-28), and with the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions. He retired at the rank of Chief Hospital Corpsman. His decorations include the American Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal with four stars. Upon discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1965, Mr. Atwood moved to Winston, Georgia where he pursued a very successful career for over twenty years as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative with Pennwalt Corporation, advancing to the number one Pennwalt sales representative in the nation.

Mr. Atwood was a southern gentleman in the truest sense of the word. An avid hunter, outdoorsman, golfer, farmer and craftsman, he was a gracious, engaging and entertaining host throughout his life. A devoted and loving husband, Mr. Atwood was also a supportive and encouraging father and PaPa. He told everyone he knew that the best thing he ever did was marry the love of his life, Louise Knight Atwood. He quite simply adored her and bragged often about his talented and lovely life partner. Louise and James were married for over 74 loving and adventure-filled years. The couple resided in Winston, Georgia for 39 years where Mr. Atwood was active in serving and bettering his community before retiring to the Golden Isles in 2004. Together, they enjoyed traveling, visiting numerous states and countries. During his lifetime, Mr. Atwood visited 43 countries and even met and had high tea with the then future king of England, Prince Charles III.

Serving and glorifying God throughout his life, Mr. Atwood was a passionate Christian theologian, teaching Sunday School into his nineties, and serving as a deacon and elder. A Master Mason for over five decades, Mr. Atwood was also an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Brunswick, Georgia. Mr. Atwood was nearly as passionate in his politics as he was in his faith. “God, Family, and Country” was the mantra he shared with his son and grandchildren, and his life exemplified those values. He may have been one of the last of the Greatest Generation to actively participate in discussions of life, including politics and religion, on social media until his recent illness.

Mr. Atwood was preceded in death by his brother Charles Atwood, and his sister Betty Norrell. He is survived by his wife Louise, son James Alexander Atwood, Jr. (Cynthia) of Saint Simons Island, Georgia; three grandchildren, James Alexander Atwood, III (Meredith) of Roswell, Georgia, Melonie Jane Atwood (fiancé Todd Rorie) of Fort Worth, Texas, and Cameron David Alexander Atwood of St. Simons Island, Georgia; three great-grandchildren, James Alexander Atwood IV and Stella Rae Atwood; and Luke Austin DeGuire. He is also survived by his sister, Juanita Simmons of Leland, Mississippi, and three nephews David and Barry Simmons, and Scott Norrell. The Atwood family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Fr. Alan Akridge, the Rev. Gareth Allcott, friends Henly and Barbara Shelton and their children Sterling, Lawson and Chamberlynn, special friend Ms. Nolia Gutierrez, Hospice of the Golden Isles, and their many dear friends, especially on Oak Grove Island. The world is richer for Mr. Atwood’s presence and lessened by his absence. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be at Edo Miller Funeral Home on Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 5:30 -7:30 pm. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 am Friday, May 5, 2023 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Brunswick, Georgia, followed by interment with military honors at Christ Church Frederica Cemetery. Pallbearers are James A. Atwood,III, Cameron D. A. Atwood, Henly Shelton, Lawson Shelton, Sterling Shelton, Todd Rorie, and David Simmons. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to Hospice of the Golden Isles or St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. www.edomillerandsons.com