Lothrop Award

James Wood

2009

James R. Wood, age 79, of Windermere, Florida went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 4th. Jim was born April 15, 1939 in Indianapolis, Indiana to the late Winfield and Bess Wood. He was a Christian, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.

He was a 1957 graduate of Speedway High School where he was named the 1957 Indianapolis/Marion County Athlete of the Year. He graduated from Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN with a Zoology degree in 1961 and began his professional career as a chemistry teacher and basketball coach at the Kent School in Kent, Connecticut. He returned to Wabash, serving as Director of Admissions and Director of Public Affairs from 1967 to 1974. He began a long and accomplished career in the investment field with Indiana National Bank in the mid-70’s that lasted well over 30 years. He developed long lasting relationships while working with C&S Bank, SEI Corporation, Templeton Investments, STI Capital Management and finally with his own firm, JRW Partners. He mentored a number of colleagues over his career, colleagues he was still proud to know as friends, long after he left the profession. He was recognized for his efforts, accepting the 2009 AIMSE Lothrop Outstanding Achievement Award from his industry peers.

Jim was involved civically and was an active leader. Giving back to the profession that served him well, he served on the Pitcairn Mutual Fund Board of Directors, Adventist Health System Investment Committee and as a Director of Integrity Fixed Income. Philanthropically, he served on the Boards of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, Health Central Hospital (now Orlando Health Central Hospital) and the Boys & Girls Club of America. Always supporting his alma mater, in 2004, he was awarded the Clarence A. Jackson Distinguished Career Award by Wabash College. His love of higher education also led him to serve on the Board of Trustees at Hanover College in Indiana. He was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church where he completed Stephen Ministry training. Most recently he was a Founding Board member of the Greenbrier Christian Retreat in West Virginia. In the 70’s and 80’s he was an active leader at Liberty Chapel Church in Crawfordsville, Indiana. In a pinch, he was known to step in to everything from preaching from the pulpit to leading hymnal singing.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Jan, who supported him and the family through his professional endeavors and was an incredible caregiver to him as his health began to fail over the past few years. Surviving family members include daughter Kim Phillips (Bruce) of Denver, NC and son Kurt Wood (Karin) of Winter Park, FL. Grandchildren Chelsea Phillips of New York; Nick Phillips (Jenna) of Indianapolis; and Parker Phillips, Purdue University; Ryan Wood of Milwaukee; Ellie Wood of Washington, DC; and Walker Wood, Clemson University. His twin sister Judith Johnson Flatt of Dallas and his brother Steve Wood of Speedway.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, February 23rd, 1pm at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 4851 S Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32819 with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to Wabash College (www.wabash.edu/giving).