Palestine High School Alumni Association

05 / 11 / 1934  –  01 / 04 / 2012

James Wade Atwood, 77, of Corsicana, a follower of Jesus Christ, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, January 4th, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Palestine at 11 a.m. Saturday, with B. F. Risinger Jr. of Corsicana officiating, followed by a reception and time to visit with the family at the church in Robinson Hall.  Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey & Foster Funeral Home.

He was born May 11, 1934 in Palestine, to Clifford Wade and Lola Bye Atwood.

He was preceded in death by both parents; his first love, Elinor Rosson Atwood; his daughter, Michele Neal; his son-in-law, Albert Neal; brother-in-law, Thomas H. Flinn, III; and a sister-in-law, Norma Atwood.

He is survived by his devoted, loving wife, Marilyn Butler Atwood of Corsicana; sons, Delton Atwood, and wife, Linda of Palestine, and James Lee Atwood Sr. of Coldwater, Miss.; brother, Gerald Atwood, and wife Leta, of Houston; sister, Ann Flinn of Lakeway; and five grandsons, James Lee Atwood Jr., Josh Atwood, David Neal, Austin Atwood and Caleb Atwood. He also cherished his adopted family, Kim and Mike Bernhagen, Kristan, Kendra, Caleb, Troy, Aden, Katie, Scott Butler, Lauren, Cameron and Kendall.

James was a stand-out football player for Palestine High School, and received a full football scholarship to The University of Texas, where he received his bachelor’s degree in physical education.  Upon his graduation he began his career with the YMCA in Fort Worth, Corsicana, Galveston, and later returned back home to Palestine as the YMCA director on Kickapoo Street in the mid-sixties. He was instrumental in starting the peewee football program in Palestine, as well as teaching numerous children in this city to swim. He later worked for Alcoa Aluminum, and finally retired from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a coach.  He loved to spend time with his family, fish at Red Lake, getting together with the “Old Farts”, (the name shared by his high school classmates), and traveling and seeing the world with Marilyn. He was a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church, and served as an elder.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Palestine, First Baptist Church Corsicana, Navarro County Child Evangelism Fellowship, or Alzheimer’s Association.