Born October 14, 1936 in Nelson County, he was the son of the late Willie Lewis Wood and the late Edna Wood Perry. James was a retired cupola operator with Lynchburg Foundry and was also a retired Deputy with the Amherst County Sheriff's Department. He proudly served his country with the U.S. Navy and was a longtime member of Madison Heights Baptist Church.
James is survived by his son, Bobby G. Wood and wife Kim; his daughter, Cathy W. Evans and husband Garry; four special grandchildren, Michael Coleman and wife Samantha, Mallory Campbell and husband Casey, Travis Wood and wife, Casey, and Sommer McIntyre and husband Justin and two precious great grandchildren, Tatum James Campbell and Astrid Lee Coleman.
James is also survived by two brothers, Ray Wood and wife Mary and Kenny Wood and wife Pat; two sisters, Janice Tyree and husband Buck and Sandra Shirley and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service to celebrate James' life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 19, 2025 at Madison Heights Baptist Church with Pastor Josh Beeler and the Rev. Steve Tyree officiating. Interment with military honors by American Legion Post 16 will follow at Briarwood Memorial Gardens in Amherst County.
The family will receive friends at the church, Friday, for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and other times at the home of his son, Bobby, 300 Bobwhite Road, Amherst, VA 24521.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of the Bedford County Nursing Home and Noah's Landing of Goode, VA, and James' in-home caregivers, for the wonderful care provided for James.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Madison Heights Baptist Church or a charity of choice.
To send online condolences to the family, please go to www.whittenmonelison.com.
Whitten Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel is serving the family.
