Published: June 09, 2009 04:20 pm      

DR. JAMES WOOD

Dr. James R.. Wood, age 76, of McKinney, TX went to be with the Lord on June 6, 2009, in Plano, TX. He was born December 13, 1932, in Ada, OK to John Arlington and Neva Beatrice (Young) Wood. He graduated from Ada Senior High in Ada, OK where he played on a state tournament basketball team.

He attended Cameron State College in Lawton, OK on a basketball scholarship. He graduated from East Central Oklahoma State College with a bachelor degree in history and education. James and Betsy Carol Brookins married in Marietta OK, October 6, 1953. In 1963, while he taught, coached and was a principal in Marlow, OK, James completed a master’s degree in education from the Oklahoma University, Norman, OK.

He then made the move to Texas where he was a principal and assistant superintendant in the Irving Independent School District. While in Irving, he obtained a Doctorate of Education degree (Administrative Leadership) from North Texas State University in Denton, TX. He also served as deacon and elder at the South MacArthur Church of Christ.

After obtaining his doctorate, he then served as a superintendant of schools in the Brownsboro and Laredo, TX Independent School Districts and Sabine Parish Independent School District in Many, LA.

In 1997, Dr. Wood retired from education and moved to McKinney, TX. While in McKinney, Dr. Wood was a member of the High Pointe Church of Christ and served on the NTCA School Board.

He is survived by his sons, Ronnie Wood of Washington, D.C. and Roger Wood and his wife, Kathryn of Bonham, TX; daughter, Laura Lokey and her husband, Jason of Farmersville, TX; brother, Col. Billy Wood, Ret. and his wife, Carolyn of Mena, AR; and grandchildren, Kaley, Jay and Landry Lokey.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 51 years, Betsy Brookins Wood, daughter, Lisa Martin, and three grandchildren: Chance Michael Martin, Brock James Martin, and Reid Brookins Martin.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at High Pointe Church of Christ in McKinney, TX with Minister Frank Barganier officiating. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, TX.

The family will receive friends during a visitation from 7:00 – 9:00 P.M., Tuesday evening at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NTCA Betsy Wood Memorial Learning Center in care of High Pointe Church of Christ, 3201 North Central Expwy., McKinney, TX, 75071.

To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com or www.adaeveningnews.com