Jerry James Wood

Jerry James Wood, age 80, of Pomona, Kansas, passed away Friday, July 12, 2024, at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kansas.

Jerry was born Friday, December 17, 1943, in Winfield, Kansas, to James Jink and Jean Louise (McCarty) Wood. He was the oldest of four children. Growing up on a farm, he learned the value of hard work at a very young age.

He graduated from Augusta High School in 1962. Following high school, he attended Emporia State University. He then moved to Lawrence and married Jeannette Dillon on August 4, 1972. They had two children, Curt and Stacia. Jerry was a very talented pipefitter and welder until he retired in 2005. He was a member of the local for fifty-seven years. He was known for his quality work. His work can be seen in lots of places, more recently the livestock pens he has built during his retirement.

Jerry’s true passion was being a cowboy. He always had a way of reading cattle and handling a horse. He started a cow/calf operation that began by feeding in the dark after work that he built over the years and became a full-time operation after his retirement. His love though was rodeoing. He loved roping calves and continued it his entire life. He was a member of several rodeo associations throughout his life where he earned numerous buckles and awards: one being the Kansas high school state calf roping champion two years. Jerry could be found traveling all over the country competing himself, hauling his wife and daughter, and later in life, hauling his grandchildren. He enjoyed helping his grandkids or anyone learn to rope. It is not possible to count the number of calves he has pushed or chutes he has opened over the years.

Jerry loved life making a point to live it to its fullest. Other hobbies he enjoyed were dancing and bird hunting. He was always willing to learn something new. This is evident by him earning his pilot’s license while in his sixties. He could be seen lending a hand to anyone who needed it, was a great friend to many, and one of the most honest people you’ll ever meet. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do. He was deeply respected and will be missed by many. His joyful smile will forever be remembered.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannette (Dillon) Wood of the home; sister, Deanna Wood; son, Curt Wood and daughter-in-law Toni Pittman-Wood; daughter Stacia and son-in-law Duston Spencer; five grandchildren, Charlie, Elee and Samantha Pittman, Madison Scott, and Auston Spencer; and several nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Jean Wood; sister and brother-in-law, Marica and Leon Beland; brother, John Wood; and son-in-law, John Scott.

Celebration of life will be held Friday, August 2, 2024, at Grace Community Church in Overbrook, Kansas. Visitation at 10am-12pm with services to follow.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Kansas High School Rodeo Association Scholarship Fund c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.