John Elton Woods Aug. 29, 1924 — Aug. 21, 2008 MONTROSE — John Elton Woods died peacefully in his home Aug. 21, 2008 of natural causes at the age of 83. John was born in Telluride, Colo. on Aug. 29, 1924 to Everett Carlus Woods and Leona Clare Hayes. John graduated from high school in Nucla in 1942. He served as a Master Sergeant in the Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946. He was a radio and radar operator and crew chief. He was discharged from the service when his father was killed and went home to care for his family. He continued to care for and worry about all members of his family for the remainder of his life. John married Evelyn Wyonna Scheibler on July 19, 1947 in Commerce, Okla. They had three children, David Stanton, Nelson Everett and Sharalyn Ann. During their marriage, John’s career in auto and airplane sales took them to Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and Texas. John’s second marriage was to Patricia Vincent on April 25, 1969. During their marriage, John started his own aviation business, John Woods, Inc. in Dallas, Texas. In 1992, John returned to Montrose, Colo. and was reunited with his childhood sweetheart, Wilma Brink, who he lived with until his death. John had a lifelong love affair with aviation. Throughout his long career in aviation, John flew, bought and sold numerous airplane types throughout North and South America and Africa. His natural ability in sales, along with his intelligence and sense of humor, allowed him to be at ease with people of all cultural and economic backgrounds. From famous athletes, entertainers, movie stars and politicians to the average person on the street John was able to convince them that he had what they couldn’t live without. It is a well known fact among his family and friends that John could sell snow to Eskimos, and leave them feeling like they got the better end of the deal. His other interests included hunting and fishing. Hunting and fishing outings always included a game or two of poker. Those who have hunted or fished with John know that the real danger came when facing him across the poker table. John was preceded in death by his first wife, Evelyn Woods; two brothers, Everett Carlus Woods, Jr. and Donald Clare Woods; two sisters, Dorothy Jean Woods and Melba Ray Rugg. He is survived by Wilma W. (Wille) Brink of Montrose, Colo.; sons, David S. Woods and wife Terri of Grapevine, Texas; Nelson E. Woods and wife Kate of Buhl, Idaho; daughter, Shari Appleby and husband Alan of Lyman, S.C.; and brother, Richard D. Woods and wife Doris of Grand Junction, Colo.; along with five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial Services will be held at Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose, Colo. on Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, at 2 p.m.; with a gathering of family and friends at the home of Herb Williams at 814 West Oak Grove Road following the services. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402 and/or The Montrose Christian Church, In Memory of John Woods, 2351 Sunnyside Rd., Montrose, CO 81401. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO |