John (Jake) Woods

John Davis Woods, 84, passed away at home on February 19, 2013.

He was born on January 18, 1929 in North Elm of Milam County, TX, the son of William L. and Mineola Boedeker Woods. He moved to Brenham, TX, during his senior year in High School where he fell in love with Brenham and its community. He adopted Brenham as his own "hometown" and eventually married one of Brenham's own daughters.

On October 21, 1950, he was married to Lavonne Ledbetter in Brenham, TX.

John (Jake) Woods was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a grateful and proud member of Grace Lutheran Church in Brenham. Jake enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his friends and family, as well as becoming an accomplished sportsman in basketball, baseball and golf. He excelled in basketball and baseball while attending Blinn College. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business from the University of Houston in 1950, while at the same time becoming a star Third Baseman for the U. of H. baseball team. He also played baseball for the Brenham Lions and the Victoria Rosebuds. From 1951 to 1953, he played on the U.S. Army's golf team. His career centered on Traveler's Insurance Co. (Claims Dept.) from 1954 to retirement in 1986. Here, he also played on the company baseball team as Third Baseman. Meanwhile, the picture changed to golf tournaments, where he carried home several First Flight Trophies. He was able to enjoy his retirement years in Gonzales, Brenham and Palacios, TX.

Survivors include his wife, Lavonne L. Woods, daughter Cynthia J. Woods, daughter Shelley L. Meister; two grandchildren, Welcome and Adriana Meister, Whitney M. and Corey Rose; one great-grandchild, Kendallyn Lavonne Rose; three sisters, Jessie Heidenfelder, Shirley and Betty Woods; two brothers, Donald and sister-in-law Bett Woods, and Edward Allen (Buck) and sister-in-law Crystal Woods; one brother-in-law, R.B and Elisa Ledbetter; six nephews and nieces, Darrell Woods, Darren and Cathy Woods, Laurie W. and Patrick Brossette, Bruce and Kim Ledbetter, Randall Ledbetter, and Regina L. and Glenn Yockey; eight great-nephews and great-nieces, Ryan Woods, Britany Woods, Austin Woods, Sean Woods, Logan Ledbetter, Alexa Ledbetter, Faith Yockey and Summer Yockey.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, father-in-law Bruce K. Ledbetter, mother-in-law Emma Jean Ledbetter, brother William Woods, Jr., brother-in-law Joseph Heidenfelder, and son-in-law Ken Meister.

Pallbearers will be Donald Woods, Welcome Meister, Bruce Ledbetter, Randall Ledbetter, Robert Reichwein, and Stanley Sommer.

Honorary pallbearers will be Pierre Roberts, Walter Holle, Fred Bredthauer, Jimmy Bucek, and Howard Kochwelp.

The funeral will be Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 3 p.m. in Grace Lutheran Church (1212 W. Jefferson) in Brenham. Burial will be in the Prairie Lea Cemetery.

The family will receive friends and relatives Saturday night from 5 – 7 p.m. in the Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Memorials may be given to Grace Lutheran School in Brenham or Hospice of South Texas (605 E. Locust Ave., Victoria, TX).

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX. 979.836.3611 Condolences may be sent on line to www.brenhammemorialchapel.com