James Lawrence Wood, Sr

James Lawrence Wood, Sr., 88, of Bedford, died Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Bedford Memorial Hospital. Born on October 30, 1921, a son of the late Spencer L. Wood and Bessie Mae Mitchell Wood. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Louise Orange Wood and a grandson, Matthew Wood.

 James was a life long resident of Bedford County where he worked for Hampton Looms until it closing. He ran several small businesses to include a dairy farm, logging operation and a sawmill. Most people around the Bedford community knew him from Lawrence-Wood Company, his company that made fork lift pallets and skids leading up to his retirement. He had a love for fishing and enjoyed doing so in his spare time.

 James is survived by seven children, Larry Wood, Terry Wood, Linda Orange, Greg Wood, Wanda Shull, Gwen Moore and Shirley West; ten grandchildren, Chris Wood, Steven Wood, Brandon Orange, Stacy Robertson, Scott Wood, George \"Buddy\" Dooley, Wesley Dooley, Suzanne Mayhew, Sarah Moore and Keri Brill; seven great-grandchildren, Jacob Wood, Anna Wood, John Matthew Wood, Coty Robertson, Anna Mayhew, Ashley Mayhew and Kara Dooley; two daughter-in-laws, Theresa Wood and Bonnie Wood; three son-in-laws, Aubrey West, John Moore and Ronnie Orange. He was regularly checked on by his special friends, Randolph Snead and John Wright.

 In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to, Bedford, Hospice House, P.O. Box 985, Bedford, VA 24523.

 A memorial service will be conducted at 7:00 PM on Monday, February 8, 2010 at Tharp Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM on Monday, February 8, 2010 at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford. Arrangements by Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, 540-586-3443.