Jimmy "Jim" Ware Wood

Jimmy “Jim” Wood (or Bubba to his immediate family) passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Monday morning, April 21st, after a brief stay in the hospital. He was 87 years old.

Born on January 9, 1938 in Newberry, South Carolina, Jim was the son of the late Johnny and Nannie Mae Wood and the younger brother of John Wood, Margaret Milstead (predeceased), and a set of twins who died in infancy. Jim excelled in sports at Newberry High School, lettering in football, baseball, and basketball. However, an even greater teenage accomplishment was marrying his high school sweetheart, Glenda Jones. Jim had just turned 17 while Glenda was still 16 when they took their vows in 1955. Shortly after, Jim joined the United States Army for a 2-year stint, completing Basic Training at Fort Jackson followed by time at Fort Gordon, for Military Police training, and finishing his service at Fort Bragg. 

Jim and Glenda moved to Columbia in 1959, eventually settling in the Shandon neighborhood, joined Shandon United Methodist Church, and started a family. Their oldest child Stan was born in 1960, followed by Debra two and a half years later. In the meantime, Jim served as a manager for three Pet Dairy ice cream stores before going to work with Bonitz Insulation Company, where he managed accounts payable. After working with Bonitz for six years, he decided to pursue a college degree. He attended Palmer Business College, then Midlands Technical College before transferring to the University of South Carolina where he earned a BS degree in Business Management with a major in Accounting, graduating from the University in three years. He served as an accountant with the SC Public Service Commission from 1974-1995; from 1995-2001 he served as Comptroller until his retirement. 

Upon retirement, Jim and Glenda transformed an undeveloped lake front lot at Lake Murray from a weekend getaway into a retirement home, built from scratch, where they lived and regularly entertained children and grandchildren with swimming, fishing, and boat rides for over 10 years. Jim loved his time at the lake where he spent many hours fishing from his dock or his bass boat, teaching his grandchildren to fish or pulling them on a raft behind his boat, and kayaking with his daughter Deb. He also loved the manual labor involved in maintaining a beautifully landscaped yard on a property filled with magnificent hardwood trees. 

Jim and Glenda eventually moved back to Columbia to be nearer to family, buying a house in St. Mark’s Woods, where they lived for 7 years before moving to Laurel Crest, a senior living facility on the bank of the Saluda River in West Columbia. 

In February, just a few months ago, Jim and Glenda celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a reception, hosted by Stan, his wife Lesli, and Deb, in Wesley Hall at Shandon UMC where they shared memories with 50-70 relatives and longtime friends on a Sunday afternoon. 

Jim was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who always enjoyed spending time with family, not only at the lake but during weeklong vacations for summers on end at Surfside Beach, and on extended family camping vacations in the Pennsylvania Dutch country, New England, and into southeast Canada. He was a gentle soul with a subtle but quick wit who was loved by everyone with whom he came into contact. He lived a long, good life, and he enriched the lives of those around him beyond measure. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Glenda, son, Stan (Lesli), daughter, Debra, grandchildren; Kristen Rawl (John Thomas), Lainey Hannon (Luke), and Kevin, and great-grandchildren; Wilder, Weston, and Walker Rawl. In addition, he leaves his brother, John Wood and several generations of nieces and nephews. 

The Wood family would like to thank the staff at Laurel Crest for their loving care and support, especially over the last year during Jim’s time in the Assisted Living wing of the facility. In lieu of flowers, the family would request memorial donations be made to Shandon United Methodist Church (shandonumc.org) or to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (billygraham.org). 

Honorary Pallbearers: 

• Kevin Wood
• Jim Sanders
• Butch Roberts
• Jerry Davis
• Bern Hawkins