James Allison Wood

Jim was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on March 11, 1942, to James Harold and Mary Louise Allen Wood, and he spent an idyllic childhood in his birthplace. When he wasn’t fishing and exploring, Jim often worked alongside his father, a master craftsman. Jim carried those early lessons in carpentry and home renovation with him throughout his life, and years later, he designed and built an ambitious extension on his own family home. Jim earned the rank of Eagle Scout when he was only 15, and he was delighted that both of his grandsons chose to follow in his footsteps in their own Scouting careers.

After honorably serving his country while stationed in Germany with the United States Army, Jim returned stateside and enrolled in Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. While studying one afternoon in the campus library, Jim met the love of his life, Lita Ann Broussard of Erath, Louisiana. Only three months later, Jim and Lita were married, and they celebrated their fifty-seventh wedding anniversary in January of this year.

After graduation, Jim and Lita settled in Bellaire, Texas, and Jim embarked on a successful sales career. Jim worked primarily in the paper and pulp industry, and was employed by Exxon, Callaway Chemicals, and Vulcan Industries.

After his retirement in 2008, Jim and Lita relocated to Austin, Texas, to be closer to their grandchildren. They were active members at St. Theresa’s of Liseux Catholic Church, where Jim sang in the Occasional Choir, and where he was a participant in a ten day Pilgrimage for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. During that Pilgrimage, Jim had the great privilege of attending a Papal Mass at the Vatican. Jim also enjoyed frequent tennis matches and golf games, and he was a gifted athlete his entire life.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lita Ann Broussard Wood; his son, Ethan Anton Wood and wife Meredith Presley Wood; his grandchildren Bennett Kittrell Wood, Presley Charlotte Wood, and John Henderson “Jack” Wood; his sister and brother-in-law, Janis Wood Loukas and Dr. Demetrius F. Loukas, all of Austin, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.