James Stephen Wood

The World Famous James Stephen Wood, 66, of Marlin, passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 in Temple after a hard waged battle against cancer. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, October 28, 2011, followed by a Celebration of Life service from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Connally/Compton Funeral Directors Chapel.

James grew up in Fairmount, IN, son of Milburn and Florence Wood. He escaped Indiana the day after graduation by becoming an American Advisor to the Vietnamese Paratroopers, loaned by the Air Force (Commandos) to the Army. After serving three tours in Viet Nam, James lived in California, riding with the Hells Angels until the Judge asked him kindly to leave the state. James high-tailed it to Texas where he established himself as a leather artist and cowboy before becoming an entertainer. He wowed audiences with Rattlesnake shows and exotic animal shows being featured summer seasons at Texas Safari. He could be seen around Waco for several years offering Carriage Rides and Waco history Tours with a mule drawn wagon. And if you took a ride on “The Spirit of the Rivers” chances are he was your riverboat captain. After retiring, James was seen across the Central Texas area and Texas on his Harley.

James is survived by his lovely wife, Patti; his charming daughter, Victoria and her family, fiancé, Robert Jimerson and children, Alex, Drake, Lynsie and Jacob Conner; his two sisters, Mrs. Thomas (Sue) Johnson and Mrs. Michael (Donna) Robison and their children, Marc Johnson, Tamara Darilek, Patrick Robison and Ann Robison. James is also survived by a host of friends and all their memories of the great entertainer.

“When God made me, he was just showing off.”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or the Disabled American Veterans Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.