Rev. James Allen Wood, 88 of Millstadt, IL, born October 14, 1937 in Huntington, WV, passed from this life on May 9, 2026 at home surrounded by his family.

James graduated from the Apostolic Bible Institute, St. Paul, MN in 1958 with a Bachelors of Apostolic Studies. It was there that he met Patsy Jo Crowell, and they were married in July 1958.
He devoted his life to the ministry, Pastoring churches in Metropolis, IL (1961-63), Lick Creek, IL (1963-65), Dupo, IL (1967-71), and Cahokia, IL (1979-2006).
He fulfilled his life's dream of serving as a missionary in Iran from 1971 until he and his family were forced to evacuate the country in 1979 due to the political unrest pervading the country at that time.
He served as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Sunday School Division of the UPCI Illinois District from 1981 to 1995. During those years, his entire summers were practically spent at the campground in Wapella helping to run the youth camps.
Providing support for children in crisis, he served as an after-hours advocate for the Children's Home and Aid Society of Illinois.
Always giving of himself to others, he spent countless hours in hospitals with grieving families of people he did not even know.
He served as a Police Commissioner and Chaplain for the Cahokia Police Department and was a Chaplain with the Illinois State Police from 2003 until a stroke left him incapacitated in 2015.
During his years of pastoring, he performed weddings from the American Embassy in Tehran, Iran to the steps of the Arch in St. Louis, Mo on the 4th of July, and was very active in the community, speaking at Rotary Clubs, Exchange Clubs and Kiwanis Clubs throughout the metro east area.

He was preceded in death by his parents Theodore R. Wood and Susan Pauline (Griffith) Wood; a sister, Laurel-Faye (Wood) Webb; his wife Patsy Jo (Crowell) Wood; and a daughter, Suzette R. (Wood) Fremling.

He is survived by his sister, Karen (Douglas) Hickman of Huntington, WV; two daughters Sheila R. (Rev. Terry) Haynes of Millstadt, IL; and Kimberly K. (Benjamin) Callahan of Dupo, IL.  Extended family Saghoumeh and Thomas Graves of Wentzville, MO; Sherri (Damon) Pipkens of Dupo, IL; and Shelley (Mike) Donnals of Tuscola, IL.
Grandchildren Denna (Kyle) Eldridge and Sharaya Ashcraft of Dupo, IL; Taylor (Brack) Tommie of Denver, CO; Lindsey Fremling of Ames, IA; Adreneh (David) Allen of Fenton, MO;  Zachary Graves of Warrenton, MO; Bonus grandchildren Donovan (Mackenzie) Pipkens and Sheridan (Adam) Palesch. Step-grandchildren Benjamin (Chelsea) Callahan, Jr.; Derrick Callahan, Shawna Callahan, Jordan Callahan and Shannon Callahan. Great grandchildren Maxton Allen, William Graves, and Harper Eldridge; five step-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends who affectionately called him Bubby or Papa Wood.

Viewing will be held Thursday, May 14th, 4-8 p.m. and the funeral will be Friday, May 15th, 11 a.m. at Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia, IL with Rev. Terry Haynes officiating . Burial will be in Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, Illinois.

Memorial donations can be made to Calvary Church Metro East Missions Fund, PO Box 637, O'Fallon, IL 62269.