Roger James Wood, 70 yrs. old of Cooperstown, NY went with our Lord, Jesus Christ, on March 7, 2017 at MIB Hospital, Cooperstown, NY.
Jim was born in Utica, NY on April 14, 1946 to Cleo & Phyllis (Wiggins) Wood.
He attended West Winfield Central School from kindergarten through 8th grade. Jim transferred to New Berlin Central School in 1961 and was a member of the great class that graduated in 1964. While at New Berlin he was a member of the dramatics club and choir, and played on the baseball, soccer and volleyball teams.
Jim met Elizabeth (Liz) Barron of Richfield Springs, NY in 1967 and they were married on May 4, 1968 at Christ Church, Cooperstown, NY while Jim was serving in the Air Force and stationed at Westover AFB, Springfield, MA.
Two beloved children, Jennifer, born May 3, 1969, and Stuart, born December 12, 1970 joined Jim and Liz in their Air Force travels that also had stops in Louisiana, California, Delaware and North Carolina in the United States. Jim and his family also lived in Okinawa, Japan and the Philippines.
Jim enlisted in the Air Force in 1964 and served 20 years. His duties included Intelligence Operations from 1964-1977, with Reconnaissance Technical Squadrons for 8th Air Force (Westover AFB, MA.) 2nd Air Force (Barksdale, AFB, LA.) and 15th Air Force (March AFB, CA.) Jim changed his career fields in 1978 to become a Cost and Management Analyst at Dover AFB, De, Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, Clark AB, Philippines and Pope AFB, NC until his retirement in 1984 at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant.
Jim received the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with silver leaf cluster, Air Force NCO PME Graduate Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters.
He was honored for research and preparation of the Air Force Outstanding Cost and Management Analysis Report in 1980. Jim was also selected as the Outstanding Cost and Management Analyst for the Air Force in 1982.
While in the Air Force, Jim attained his Bachelor of Science degree with the University of Maryland.
Jim was an enthusiastic amateur photographer. While still serving in the Air Force, he coupled his hobby with interest in auto-racing to become a photo-journalist with racing photos published in such national publications as Sports Illustrated, Stock Car Racing Magazine and Grand National Scene.
Jim was also a published writer with many driver and personality profiles, race reports, and special assignment stories for SCRM and GNS. He hosted a weekly auto-racing show on KTLA radio in Los Angeles, CA. while handling public relations responsibilities for short tracks in the Southern California area.
Jim, while stationed overseas, enrolled in computer programming classes and ultimately developed a program that predicted when a caution flag would occur during a race. The program was put to use when he returned to the United States and joined up with Hall of Fame driver Bobby Allison and crew chief Gary Nelson in 1983. The success of the program can be measured by the success of long-time veteran Allison being crowned the NASCAR Grand National Champion for 1983 – his only Grand National championship.
Jim and his family settled in New Berlin, NY upon his retirement from the Air Force in 1984.
Jim went to work with Preferred Mutual Insurance Company as Comptroller for the company. He also served two terms, one as president, on the New Berlin Central School board. He was particularly proud that his daughter’s high school diploma carried his name. Jim later served one term on the New Berlin Town Board.
Jim went on to become Controller at Chenango Mutual Insurance Company , Norwich, NY and the dual companies Home Mutual Insurance Company and Merchants and Bakers Mutual Insurance Company under Home State Holdings, Inc., first in Red Bank , NJ and then in Binghamton, NY.
He and his wife later moved to Largo, FL. where Jim worked as the FIFO tax expert for Eckerd Corporation in Clearwater, FL.
Jim and Liz moved to Northborough, Ma in 2005 to be near their beloved and cherished grandson Joshua.
Jim was employed by Robert Half International when contracted to Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Boston, MA as a reinsurance specialist.
He retired in 2009.
Jim and Liz “came home” to settle in Cooperstown, NY in 2011 where he could enjoy his passion for golf as a member of the Leatherstocking Golf Course. He welcomed the opportunities to play golf on many courses throughout the United States and internationally as well.
Jim will be remembered mostly for his kind heart, being there for this family and friends whenever and where ever they needed him. He cared for everyone unselfishly. Jim’s friendly smile and outgoing, pleasant personality drew people to him. He had a terrific sense of humor and enjoyed a good laugh with his many friends.
Jim’s first love was his family. He admired Liz as a wonderful wife and mother, and felt especially fortunate to have married such a remarkable person. Jim enjoyed his role as a husband and father and the responsibilities that came with both. He was especially proud of his wife’s professional accomplishments and took particular pride in Jennifer & Stuart as he watched them grow from young children into highly successful adults and every accomplishment they achieved.
Jim felt blessed when he became a grandfather to Joshua, son of Stuart and Amy. He often said that he never knew he was capable of such love as he had for his Grandson. Jim especially enjoyed every moment that Joshua could spend with his “Papa”.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; his daughter, Jennifer (married to Rob Gross); his son, Stuart (married to Amy Church); his grandson, Joshua; his sister, Darlene, nephew Derrick and many, many cousins.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2017 from 2:00-4:00 PM at the Dakin Funeral Home, LP, New Berlin, NY.
A private service for the family will follow at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made in Jim’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Chenango County SPCA, Norwich, NY.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.dakinfuneralhome.com.