James Stuart Woodland

Woodburn - James Stuart Woodland (Jim), 83, passed away suddenly on December 13, 2022. He was born July 6, 1939 in Duluth, MN to Harry and Mabel (Amundsen) Woodland.

Jim lived in Duluth and Washington DC before moving and starting school in San Francisco. He excelled in basketball at Lincoln High School and was honored to be named as an All City Team member before graduating in 1957. Jim went to Menlo Junior College and transferred one year later to Oregon State University on a basketball scholarship to play for "Slats" Gill's OSU Beavers. In the early days of the Far West Classic BB Tournament in Portland, Jim helped lead OSU tournament victories for several years. Jim was the first player Slats allowed to shoot his free throws overhand instead of the signature two hand underhand shot OSU was known for at the line causing some stir about tradition. Jim earned a BS in History and M.Ed. from OSU and taught history and coached at Corvallis High from 1963-66. He then taught P.E. at OSU until he became assistant director of financial aid at OSU from 1968-1972. He moved with his family to Salem in 1972 where he became Director of Financial Aid at Willamette University until he retired in 1995. Jim was a lifelong athlete and competed in basketball, tennis, running, and golf well into middle age. He was an early convert to racquetball in the 1980's when it was popular and he competed and won tournaments locally. We send him with love to join friends and former teammates to the "Great Gym" in the sky. Jim is survived by Sandra Jones Woodland, his former spouse; daughter Margie Woodland Tarantino; son Paul Woodland, (Crissy Reynolds Woodland); grandsons Tyler (Lexy Thompson Woodland), Kyle and Luke Woodland; granddaughters Megan and Marina Tarantino. A celebration of his life will be held at the Corvallis Club in Corvallis Oregon on Saturday July 8, 2023 from 2pm to 5pm.