Judge James J. Wood

Judge James WoodLifelong resident of Lansing, died suddenly at the age of 75 on Thursday, October 20, 2011.  Born October 3, 1936, James grew up on the east side of Lansing and attended Resurrection Elementary School and High School. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree “with high honor” from Michigan State University, and graduate “with distinction” from The University of Michigan Law School, where he was awarded the prestigious “Order of the Coif.”  He worked in private practice and then as Assistant Attorney General.  He then served for 30 years with District Court 54-A in downtown Lansing, where he earned a reputation as a fair and conscientious Judge.

James was active in many philanthropic organizations.  He devoted much of his spare time to the Resurrection St. Vincent De Paul Society.  He delivered Tri-county meals with Judy, was active in the Ushers Club, and regularly donated platelets at The Red Cross.  He was a member of The Knights of Columbus and The Catholic Lawyers Guild, which awarded him the St. Thomas More award in 1999.  He also served in the Army Reserves, where he received an Honorable Discharge in 1967.

James was an avid tennis-player, golfer, and bridge-player. He had a great interest in the arts, and a voracious appetite for reading.  He was a kind and gentle man of strong faith, whose compassion and patient counsel touched many lives.  We will miss his dry sense of humor, his great empathy for others, and his inspiring kindness.

James was predeceased by his sister, Margaret Ann Wood, and his parents, James Clyde and Arilla A. Wood.  He is survived by: Judy, his wife of 41 years; and their son, Steve (Monica).  Also by nieces, Elizabeth (Jon) Ezzo, Rebecca (David) Levine; sister-in-law Pauline Simmons, brother-in-law Michael Simmons; cousins Lavonne (Walt) Stewart and Jim (Anna Mae) Zister and Tim (Kris) Malatinski; great nieces & nephews, Elena, Jon Carmen & Danny Ezzo and Zoe, Ava, Lilly Mae and Jonah Levine.  The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 25, 2011, at the Church of the Resurrection, 1505 E. Michigan Ave., with Rev. Fr. John M. Fain as Celebrant.  The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.  Visitation will be at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel on Monday from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. with the Rosary at 7 p.m.  Memorial donations may be made to Resurrection St. Vincent dePaul Society food bank.

 

 

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10 Messages to “Judge James J. Wood

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Daniel & Janet O'Kelly
October 22, 2011 at 8:35 am

We’re so sorry to hear about Jim, he will be greatly missed!!
Our love and heartfelt wishes are sent to you Julie & Steve

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The Apheresis Department of The American Red Cross
October 22, 2011 at 10:09 am

We are so saddened to hear about Jim. He was a great platelet donor. We will miss him around here. Our prayers are with you and your family.

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Stephanie (Underhill) and Harle Robinson
October 22, 2011 at 1:24 pm

Our prayers are with you and the family. My mother worked with Judge Wood for many years and thought he was a good man.

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Lou and Sharon Zister
October 22, 2011 at 10:43 pm

We send you our love sympathy and prayers at this sad time. We so enjoyed your company and visits and will miss the fun time.

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Steve & Lynn Lubczuk
October 22, 2011 at 11:44 pm

Dear Judy and Steve

We are shocked and saddened by Jim’s sudden passing. We will miss Jim – truly a kind and gentle man. We hold you in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. May your many happy memories of Jim comfort you in your loss. His was a life well lived – of service to his fellow man and you can both be proud of his contribution to his community, and his Church. May he rest in eternal peace and and may he now touch the face of God.

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Bruce Carruthers
October 23, 2011 at 12:30 am

My sympathies to the family on the sudden passing of Jim Wood. He was a truly good man and a good and highly respected judge too, on and off the bench. He will be missed – and he will be remembered for his good works.

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nancyann turner
October 24, 2011 at 8:58 am

Judy,
This is such a shock–and mostly for you.
I know the grief and loss will be significant–
but I also know that you will find the strength
and faith to walk each day. You are a woman
of great courage and strength–and I will be
sending prayers and love each day.

I thank God for the forty some years you
were a loving partnership.

nancyann

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Suzanne Moore
October 24, 2011 at 4:50 pm

My sympathies to the family. I had the pleasure of knowing Judge Wood when I worked at the City of Lansing. He was highly respected and an honorable man. He will truly be missed by everyone who’s life he touched. May your cherised memories of him bring you comfort.

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Mike Pelot
October 26, 2011 at 10:38 am

Ten years as the Judge’s Court Officer and he taught me so much about the law and life. Thinking of you Judy and Steve.

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Terry Fisk
May 8, 2022 at 3:29 pm

As an LPD office one morning (1972-73?) I was assigned to the LPD jail to help arraign prisoners arrested the previous night at an after-hour gambling place…..several of them. I was bringing them individually to Judge Wood’s court for arraignment (to enter a plea). Usually gambling arrestees plead guilty, get a modest fine, and are released. However, the first three plead not guilty and were assigned court dates to reappear.

When I was about to bring another from jail to the courtroom Judge Wood called me to the bench. “Terry, tell these guys to plead guilty, they will only get a small fine. If they go through a trial later they have no defense, the penalties could be much greater.” Every one of them plead guilty after that.

I have great respect for him. Always wanted wanted my cases to come before him. Firm and fair – a great man.

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