James "Jimmy" Hervel Woods, 83, passed away on March 29, 2018 at the Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson Military Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska. He was born on Oct. 29, 1934, in St. Louis, Mo., and became a resident of Anchorage in 1991.
The funeral service was held at Anchorage Community Seventh-day Adventist Church on Friday, April 6, 2018. Pastors Don West and Edmore Mangena were the officiants. Jimmy was laid to rest at the Valley Memorial Park Cemetery.
Jimmy served in the United States Air Force Band from 1952-1956, at which time he received the National Defense Service Medal. In 1961, he earned his Associate of Arts degree in Music and in 1968, his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
Jimmy retired from the County of Los Angeles in 1991, and became a member of Anchorage Community Seventh-day Adventist Church. He enjoyed playing the saxophone and had an interest in real estate.
Jimmy was a renaissance man who laid the groundwork for securing his family's financial future. Jimmy was a quiet, humble man with a fun, clever and witty sense of timing and humor.
Jimmy is survived by his praying, loving and faithful wife, Romanita Woods, who cared for him in home for seven years following his stroke; his son, James Woods; daughters, Najila Woods, Daina Decker and Jamet Woods-Cherry; seven grandchildren, James Woods Jr., D'ona Janae "Whitefeather" Woods, D'son Woods, Elijah Woods, Amanda Decker, Melody Decker, Robert Decker Jr. and Langston Jacob Woods-Cherrey; and great-grandson, Isaiah Alexander Woods Montalvan.
Jimmy also leaves behind a caring, supportive church family, friends and neighbors from within the Anchorage community at large and enjoyed the benefit of a fairly newfound global interest in his early recordings.
Arrangements were with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Anchorage Daily News on Apr. 15, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for James Woods

5 Entries

Tim Delaney, Ireland.

July 9, 2025

Like Will, I found this entry while researching what became of Jimmy Woods, after coming across his extraordinary album, "Awakening".

I was touched to read that Romanita had cared for him in his final years. His favorite number on the record was "Roma" and eight-bar ode to Romanita. He said at the time, "She's been an inspiration to me as I've attempted to continue music, and education and work. She's understoodand accepted the many disappointments we've suffered. I feel this tune, even in its angry moments, expresses the unity and sincerity of our relationship. "

I believe Romanita passed away in 2021 and is interred in Altadena, California. Clearly, they had an amazing relationship. May they both rest in peace.

Will

February 13, 2025

Just want to add a point here that wasn´t covered in this obituary: Jimmy Woods was a virtuoso alto saxophonist whose two albums from the early 1960s on Contemporary Records "Awakening" and "Conflict" are highly acclaimed in the jazz world. He played with first-rank musicians like Joe Gordon and Elvin Jones. Just those two records establish him among the leading alto saxophonists of his generation. Had more of his playing been recorded, he may have been remembered alongside alto greats like Jackie Maclean and John Handy. I discovered this obituary after reading the Wikipedia entry about him. I am grateful for his long life and large family. I hope that he was as beloved in the Anchorage community as he is in the world of jazz.

April 15, 2018

My sincere condolences on the loss of your dear loved one. May the many memories you shared with him and the words at John 11:43-44 during this difficult time.

April 14, 2018

I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort from the loving promise of seeing our dear loved ones again (John 6:40). Please accept my deepest condolences.