James 'Jim?' E. Woods

JAMES "JIM" E. WOODS

Bradenton, Fla.

James "Jim" E. Woods, 87, of Bradenton, Fla., formerly

of Iowa (Urbandale, Iowa City and Davenport), passed away Friday, May 20, 2022, in Bradenton, Fla., surrounded by family.

Jim was born in 1935 in Coggon, Iowa, (near Cedar Rapids) the son of Elizabeth and Walter Woods. After graduating from Coggon High School in 1953, Jim proudly served honorably in the United States Army. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and a lifelong passion for his Iowa Hawkeyes.

Jim lived life his way. He enjoyed having fun with family and friends, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, cheering the Chicago Cubs and fishing in Canada. He was even asked to throw out the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs game. Jim loved people. If you met Jim once, he always remembered your name and face. Later in life, Alzheimer's disease took his ability to enjoy the life he knew and loved.

Jim was proud of his career and felt fortunate to have contributed to Hy-Vee. He retired in 2003, after happily serving customers for more than 40 years. He was a store director for 35 years in Urbandale, Creston, Mason City, Iowa City and Davenport.

Throughout his career he mentored many co-workers on their path to becoming store directors and corporate executives. Jim earned many distinguished awards, including the Hy-Vee Hall of Fame, the Chairman's Humanitarian Award and Store Director of the Year 2001. He also was inducted into the Iowa Grocery Industry Association's Hall of Fame as the 2001 Retailer of the Year. Jim loved his job and because of that, he said he "never worked a day in his life."

Jim contributed to several philanthropic and business associations, including a University of Iowa football scholarship in perpetuity in his and Susan's name. After his Alzheimer's diagnosis he participated in numerous trials furthering Alzheimer's research. Jim was so dedicated to treating Alzheimer's disease, he has donated his body to The University of Iowa Deeded Body Program to study cures for the disease.

Jim leaves behind his wife and love of his life, Susan F. Woods; five children, Trent, Julie, Marty, Matt and Andrea; three stepchildren, Liza, Stephanie and Allycia; and 20 grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation with family at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 3, 2022, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service located at 3855 Katz Dr. in Marion, Iowa. Services will follow at 11 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home. A luncheon will be provided following the services. Jim lived a life full of fun, family and friends, so please feel free wear your Hawks or Cubs gear in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Roscamp Institute for Alzheimer's Research in honor of Jim Woods at 2040 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota, FL 34243 or https://www.roskampinstitute.org/donate/.

Please share a memory of Jim at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.