John R. Woods, Sr. friend and supporter of the Jessamine County Historical Society and a major contributor to the restoration of the David Meade Cemetery at Chaumiere and the Joseph Crockett Cemetery located across the road, has passed away. Although it has been over a year since his passing, the Historical Society just recently found out about it. In tribute and memory we present his obituary. His generosity will always be remembered.
Obituary dated 19 September 2008
John R. Woods, a business executive and civic leader, died Thursday (Oct 16, 2008) from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident in Shannon county, Mo. He was 68 and a longtime resident of Ladue.
Mr. Woods was riding the motorcycle, wearing his helmet, when he collided with an 18-wheel tractor-trailer on Thursday.
Mr. Woods' career as an executive and stockbroker began in 1960 at the firm of Yates, Heitner & Woods, where his father was a partner. In 1967, he opened a local office for E.F. Hutton & Co. and remained with the firm until his death, when he was a senior vice president and financial consultant.
He also was the longtime president and chief executive officer of Stout Industries, a metal sign business in Jennings.
Throughout his career, Mr. Woods contributed to and raised money for numerous charitable and political causes. He served as St. Louis County campaign chairman for Ronald Reagan in 1976 and was a national delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1980. He served on several boards including those for the Gene Autry Museum, Buffalo Bill Museum, John Burroughs School and the Missouri Historical Society. He also helped start the National Rifle Association Foundation, the charitable arm of the association, and was its chairman emeritus.
From age 17 into his 40s, Mr. Woods was a competitive hydroplane boat racer and won numerous national and world championships. He also collected antique stoves, toys and firearms, among many items.
The hobby perhaps closest to his heart was miniature railroading. A train enthusiast since childhood, Mr. Woods and his mother, Marjorie H. Woods, who died last year, set out in 2000 to build a miniature railroad on his 2,200 acre farm in Crawford County for his family. Still a work in progress, the railroad is now one of the largest privately owned miniature railroads in the country.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Central Presbyterian Church, 7701 Davis Drive, Clayton. Burial is private.
Among the survivors are his wife of 48 years, Judy Hunkins Woods; a son, John Woods Jr. of Breckenridge, Colo.; three daughters, Cathy Woods Hill of Boulder, Colo., Julia Woods Hill of Alpharetta, Ga., and Laura Woods Gunderson of Boulder, Colo.; a sister, Elizabeth Woods Bradbury of Town and Country; two brothers, James Woods Jr. of St. Louis and David Woods of Paradise Valley, Ariz.; and eight grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Central Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 7701 Davis Drive, Clayton, Mo. 63105
