In Memory of James Wood

Topics:  James Wood

Congressman Michael C. Burgess
Congressional Record: 116th Congress
Extensions of Remarks
1 May 2020

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of James 
Wood. Well-known in North Texas, he was businessman, veteran, and 
philanthropist.
  Mr. Wood was born on November 4, 1937, in Decatur, Texas and grew up 
the youngest of five children. After graduating high school in 1956, he 
left his Wise County hometown and went to work in a shipyard on the 
Harvey Canal in Louisiana. After a short time working in Louisiana, he 
entered the U.S. Army, serving his country for three years. Upon his 
honorable discharge from the military, Mr. Wood went to work at Bell 
Helicopter in Fort Worth.
  He decided to try his hand at selling cars just like his father. Mr. 
Wood became manager of Cocanougher Ford in Bridgeport. For a decade, 
with his wife Shirley, they successfully operated Tanwood Motor Sales 
in Decatur before taking over the General Motors dealership.
  In 1989, under the leadership of Mr. and Mrs. Woods, James Wood 
Motors became the largest GMC truck dealer in the United States. During 
the next decade, their dealership was the top GMC dealership in Texas. 
James Wood Motors built a new facility in 1989 and became Wise County's 
full-line General Motors.
  The Woods expanded their geographic footprint and vehicle offerings 
by purchasing a Buick/GMC dealership in Denton. James Wood Motors added 
Pontiac, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Jeep, Eagle and Mazda to their 
dealership portfolio and created the James Wood AutoPark by 1994 in 
Denton. The Woods family currently owns General Motors dealerships in 
Decatur and Denton, a Hyundai dealership in Decatur, as well as 
Neighborhood Used Car dealerships with multiple North Texas locations.
  Mr. Wood was recognized for his many contributions to the community 
as Decatur's ``Citizen of the Year'' in 1989. In addition, he was 
elected to the GM Presidents Dealer Advisory Council in 1987 and served 
as a board member of the Wise Health System for ten years. He was 
instrumental in founding the Champions and Blue Ribbon Club for the 
Wise County Youth Fair and due to his time and efforts in support of 
the Fort Worth Stock Show, he was elected to the Stock Show Board of 
Directors.
  While a very successful business owner and community philanthropist, 
Mr. Wood was also an avid farmer and rancher and dedicated family man. 
He enjoyed cutting horses and raising cattle but most importantly, 
spending time with his wife of sixty years, Shirley, and their three 
children: daughter Janetta, son Raymond and late son Josh, 
grandchildren and great grandchildren.
  James Wood was a respected business and community leader and a 
beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be 
sorely missed by his family and friends to whom I extend my sincere 
condolences.