James William Woodall

James William Woodall, age 82, of League City, Texas, died peacefully at home with his family by his side on October 28, 2022 following a persistent and valiant battle with colon cancer. His family is comforted by the belief that he is no longer in pain and is reunited with his parents and dear friends who have passed.

James, who went by Jim, was born in October of 1939 in Alabama, the son of Baxter Woodall and Mildred Tate Woodall. The family of three later moved to Tarpon Springs, Florida, where Jim attended high school and worked in his parents’ jewelry store. Following high school, he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Florida then served as an officer in the Air Force for four years. He was married to his wife, Cindy, for 49 years; together they lived in Florida, California, and Texas. Jim was a father to Tim, Melissa, and Ed. And, grandfather to Jacob, Calista, Maia, and Josh.

Jim’s tenacious career included 36 years as an aerospace engineer for Rockwell, later acquired by Boeing, where he contributed to historical space achievements throughout his tenure. Following retirement from Boeing, he continued to serve his community for 10 additional years as an algebra teacher for Pasadena Independent School District where he devoted much time and energy to the advancement of his students. Once officially retired, he volunteered for Armand Bayou Nature Center and Clear Lake Area Writers. His volunteering fed his passion for photography and writing.

Throughout life, Jim loved the outdoors, football, photography, writing, and classic rock. He was often the coordinator of hikes, canoe trips, and gatherings for workmates, friends, and family. Later in life, and often very ill, he still met three times a week, every week, with longtime friends for lunch. He also ensured contact was maintained with lifelong friends from high school and the early days of his career. Above all, Jim consistently loved spending quality time with his family; being a part of his children and their children’s lives with his wife, Cindy.

What many will remember Jim for is his wisdom, integrity, wit, humor, and kindness as he undoubtedly made the world a better place through his life achievements, contributions, and time.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, and uncles. He is survived by his wife, three adult children and their significant others, as well as four grandchildren, and a cousin.

A celebration of Jim’s life will take place on Saturday, December 17th at 2:00 PM at Crowder Funeral Home, 1645 East Main St, League City, TX 77573. To help ensure the service is a celebration of life, please consider wearing clothing that supports your favorite college or professional football team, or wear blue and/or orange in support of Jim’s favorite college team, University of Florida – Gators. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Armand Bayou Nature Center via their website, www.abnc.org, or to a youth organization within your local area.

Honoring Jim’s wishes, a private scattering of his ashes by family will take place at a later date.

17 comments

  1. Jim was a great friend. We taught at Sam Rayburn High School. Jim was a kind man with a great sense of humor. I will miss him!
    B. K. Keever

    Bernard Kemper Keever
    • I also worked with Jim and Bernie at Sam Rayburn High School. I agree with Bernie that kind showed kindness and a unique sense of humor. After we left Sam Rayburn, he wrote a few emails to me sharing his life’s adventures. I will miss him also!

      Bob Hoffman
  2. I met Jim when he joined PARSE (Pasadena Area Retired School Employees). I never saw him without an encouraging smile! He was a true gentleman. He enjoyed taking pictures at our meetings and/or field trips. He has been missed but I know he will see his fellow teachers one day. What an interesting and productive life he had !

    Marsha Mikulencak
  3. A very dear friend. I will truly miss you. God bless Cindy.

    Alan

    Alan Seraphine
  4. I was just talking about Jim yesterday. How I wished I’d taken him up on his offer about learning to fly while at Rockwell Downey. He was such a nice man. Our paths crossed in that after working as an engineer, I taught HS math for about 20 years. I respected Jim, and I can’t say that about many. He would always talk about his “Cindy”. I know he will be missed. May his family be comforted. He was a “Jewel”.

    Andrea Buchanan
    Rockwell Downey
    1980-1991

    Andrea Buchanan
  5. be watching over his lovely Cindy and their family.

    Priscilla Southworth
  6. Jim was my first friend when I went to work at Rockwell. He was very kind in showing me the ropes and also taught me to play Battleship when things were quiet in the office. We have kept in touch over the years by email and I always looked forward to seeing his latest photos. Jim was a very devoted family man and loved talking about them – called his kids – knee crunchers. I know he will be missed by all he came in contact with in Texas, Fla. and Calif. He was a good friend and I will miss him. Be comforted in knowing that his love of his family and friends will endure in all the good memories and he will be watching over his lovely Cindy and family.

    Priscilla Southworth
  7. Cindy and family,
    Our sincere condolences. Jim was a good man who will be missed. There are always good conversations when SEC football fans get together! Sadly, we will not be able to attend the life celebration. Thinking of you as you navigate this difficult journey.
    Sandy Lindsey and
    Mark Perry

    Sandy Lindsey
  8. A super nice guy to Ken and myself. He will be missed.
    Sherry Olanyk

    SHERRY OLANYK
  9. Jim was a high school classmate of mine. He was always good natured and friendly. I know the family will have great memories of him and he will live their hearts forever. So sorry for your great loss.

    Jeanette Thomas Hatton
  10. I’m so sorry about the family’s loss,also a loss to our tarpon springs high school class of 1957, Jim stayed in touch with us for all these years, he will be missed. Bible tells us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. God bless you,Jim, hug your classmates up there

    dixie ducker
  11. Remembering Jim all through high school as smart, funny and a good friend to all. Tarpon Springs Class of ’57 will all miss him as we offer our Thanksgiving we will happily include our memories of him. He truly lived out our class motto, “We have not finished; We have just begun”, as he began each new phase of his life. I am especially thankful for all the beautiful photos he sent my way, many times just when I needed something beautiful.

    sunnie holt
  12. Jim was a dear friend of mine in high school and will greatly missed. He was always thoughtful and considerate of others. My condolences

    Michael Gonatos
  13. Jim Woodall was a rare gift to those of us whose paths he crossed, however briefly, because he had a rare gift for listening, caring, encouraging, and making even the newest acquaintance feel like a longtime friend. He made a special effort to reach out to visitors and new members of Clear Lake Area Writers with the same warmth and enthusiasm he always offered so generously and naturally to seasoned CLAW colleagues. Come to think of it, there was no “special effort,” or any perceptible effort at all, involved in Jim’s brand of inclusion. It’s quite simply who he was, and we were all the better for it. Jim not only made us feel better about ourselves and each other, but he also made us look better, with each and every photo he took, printed, and shared, meeting after meeting. Whatever we learned from one another about writing, and the power of the pen, paled in comparison to the lessons Jim taught, through personal example, about the power of genuine, generous friendship to uplift, enrich, and encourage others, without any fanfare. I’m grateful to be among Jim’s many fortunate friends and students who now grieve his passing while also joyfully celebrating his life.

    Pat Powell
  14. Jim was a regular attendee at our Alpha Eaters lunch events with the men from the Village at Tuscan Lakes. We raised a toast to his memory at our last outing. Everyone liked him, he will be greatly missed.

    Julio Garcia
  15. I first met Jim at the retired guy’s lunches that he so enjoyed. We had a good conservation about Gainesville, where I was born, and about his career in the Air Force. Jim was such a nice and intelligent man, and his friends from the lunch group are going to miss him so. It was nice to get to know him for our short time, and I’m saddened by the loss of him. But it’s touching to see how many people cared for him, and how much of an impact he had.

    Ian Kress
  16. We remember the many dinners and outings with Jim and Cindy! Jan and Janine.

    Jan & Janine Hoefnagels

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