James W. Woods, Sr.

James W. Woods, Sr., 87, Topeka, died Thursday, May 8, 2008 at his home.

He was born June 11, 1920 in Stafford, KS, the son of George and Minta Reese Woods.

Mr. Woods began his Santa Fe career in 1940 in Amarillo, TX. Following early assignments as steno-clerk in the superintendent's office and extra gang timekeeper, Plains Division, he transferred into the freight traffic department as stenographer to division freight and passenger agent at Amarillo in 1941.

He entered military service in 1942, received his commission in the Army Transportation Corps in 1944, and was separated from active service in December, 1946. He remained in the U.S. Army Reserve Program, serving in various administrative capacities in the Amarillo, Chicago, and Topeka USAR Schools and was last assigned as assistant commandant of the 5047th USAR School in Topeka. In 1972 he was transferred to the Army Retired Reserve in grade of lieutenant colonel upon completion of 30 years service and awarded the Meritorious Medal.

Following active military service, he rejoined Santa Fe at Amarillo in 1947 and subsequently held positions as head statistical clerk, commerce clerk, and divisions and rate clerk in the freight traffic department. In 1960 he was appointed chief of the Tariff Bureau at Chicago and was named assistant general freight agent at Topeka in 1961. In 1962 he was appointed manager-traffic data processing and transferred into Santa Fe's newly organized Information Systems Department in 1968 as manager-traffic systems. In 1978 he was appointed to a special systems study group as special assistant to the vice president, information systems, and in 1979 was reassigned to the traffic department as manager-traffic systems, his position at retirement on Sept. 1, 1983 after 43 years of service. Jim served as Sergeant at Arms in the Kansas Senate for over 15 years. Upon retirement, Jim became an avid golf player and made many new friends.

Mr. Woods was a member of Highland Heights Christian Church, a Disabled American Veterans chapter, and was secretary/treasurer of the Santa Fe Retirees in Topeka. He also served as Sgt-at-Arms for the Kansas State Senate for 16 years.

He married Margaret Gates on Feb. 22, 1939 in Raton, NM. She survives. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Jim, Woods, Jr., and a sister, Georgia Menardi. Other survivors include a son, Glenn Woods and wife, Linda, of Stilwell, KS; two grandchildren, Jenna Woods, currently attending Yale University, New Haven, CT, and Steve Woods of Austin, TX.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am Tuesday at Highland Heights Christian Church 2930 SE Tecumseh Road. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Private entombment will be in Mt. Hope Mausoleum.

Mr. Woods will lie in state from 11 am to 4 pm Monday at Newcomer Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka 66606.