James Scott Woody

James Scott Woody, lifelong resident of Parker County and great-great-grandson of the original white settlers of this county, Samuel and Hannah Woody, passed from this life on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. He was 93 1/2 years old and dearly loved. Scott was born on the family farm near Veal Station on July 31, 1921, the fourth of six children. He began helping his father, John E. Woody, milk the cows just as soon as he "could walk under one." In the sixth grade, his father allowed him to keep a calf that Scott saved from a snowy ravine, and so began Scott's dairy herd. Scott was industrious: he ran a dairy route before school, raised and sold turkeys for extra money in the winter, and became financially independent at a young age. When not working or at school, Scott and his brothers enjoyed many adventures with the Martin boys, who lived across the road. In the seventh grade, Scott met his lifelong sweetheart, Miss Rena Mae Stroud. She knew that one day they would be married once she saw his twinkling blue eyes and he asked her to walk around the church. They graduated from Springtown High, class of 1940. They married that December on Rena Mae's 18th birthday by the Rev. Howard Butler. Scott and Rena Mae were married 74 years. Scott and Rena Mae bought their farm in 1948 and there they raised their children: Kenneth, Dwayne, Frank and Sally. They built their home atop a hill, giving them a beautiful view of their land. Scott was active in the community. He sat on the school board for Northside Consolidated School, was a member of the Weatherford Livestock Association, and lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Springtown. In 1960, Scott was encouraged by friends to run for Parker County commissioner. He ran and won. Scott served the people of Precinct 1 for 16 years, and often said he "always tried to do what was right." Scott was awarded the Outstanding Soil Conservationist by the Agricultural Extension Office in Parker County in 1976. One son, Dwayne, farmed with his father, and together they were awarded the Outstanding Dairy Family of the Year by the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce for 1982-1983. Scott can be found in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest survivor of a porcine valve replacement at 89 years and 172 days, and set a new record every day he lived after that. Scott certainly enjoyed working, but occasionally he traveled with his wife and family. He visited all 50 states, and particularly enjoyed Alaska. He took an African safari, visited the Holy Land, Australia, and attended the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif. Of course, Scott's favorite place was home, riding his tractor and working his farm. Scott's family describes him as kind, loving, tender-hearted, hard-working, happy, other-centered, tenacious and a sweetheart, yet with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes! He was known by many names. He was "Sweetheart" to his wife, "Daddy" to his children, and "Granddaddy", "Dandy" or "Dee" to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved his family, loved his land and loved the Lord. Scott was preceded in death by his son, Dwayne Edward Woody; his parents, John E. and Stella Mae Hotchkiss Woody; brother, Lavoy and wife, Georgia Ann Woody; sister, Mary Ruth and husband, George Earl Morrow, and their children, Eddie and Jay Woody; brother, Norris and his wife, Rowena Woody; brother, Johnny and wife, Dacy Woody; sister, Rena Mae and her husband, Raymond Robinson; and brother-in-law, the Rev. James Stroud and his wife, Lois. Survivors: Scott is survived by his loving wife, Rena Mae of Springtown; son, Kenneth and his wife, Faye Daniels Woody, of Weatherford; son, Frank and his wife, Marina Johnston Woody, of Azle; daughter, Sally Woody of Springtown; grandchildren, Mary, Bob, Scott, Janet, Shannon, Sara, Shyloh, Lisa, Jamie, Amy, Maegan, Logan and Elizabeth; great-grandchildren, Trey, Anna, Wendy, Emily, Clay, Jenniann, Colt, Kate, Jenna, Leah, Katie, Grant, Taylor, Dylan, Wilson, John Thomas, and Hannah; eight great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews, Carl, Raymond, Dan, Terri, Gary, Mary Jo, Jimmy, Bill, Bobby and Keith. He is also survived on his brother-in-law's side by Jimmy, Dianna and Joey. The Woody family hopes to continue Scott's long legacy of love, hard work, strong family ties and faith. Celebrate Scott's life with us at visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at White's Funeral Home in Springtown, 401 N. Main St. The funeral will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church of Springtown, 500 N. Main St.