Jessie Woods, 82

Jessie Woods, 82, passed away peacefully Jan. 16, 2015, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Jessie was born in Globe, Texas, Dec. 1, 1932, to Jesse and Zona Woods. He spent his younger years in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

On Dec. 25, 1952, he married Faye Janell Smith. After a brief stint in the Army, he joined the Air Force. He was stationed in several places including Kansas where their son Gene was born, and then in Puerto Rico where their daughter Melissa was born.

Jessie and his family moved to Great Falls and fell in love with beautiful Montana. Jessie, his father and his family built a cabin in the North Fork and traveled from Great Falls on the weekends to build it. He and his family shared many wonderful memories at the cabin which he referred to as “Moose Chip.”

When Jessie returned from the Air Force in 1972, the family moved to Kalispell where he started his very successful upholstery business. Jessie owned and operated a miniature golf course and he enjoyed gardening. He built a greenhouse adjoining his home and made many memories with his grandchildren as they played in his “white sand box” in the greenhouse and had fun swinging on the willow trees in the yard.

Jessie was a member of the of the Sunrisers Lions Club and, as a part of that club, he was in charge of the fair parade for several years. He was instrumental along with Dr. Steve Weber in a program that enabled people to donate their used glasses to those that needed them but could not afford to buy them.

In 1990, he married Sandra Ross and they became snowbirds for several years. They traveled coast to coast and border to border, visiting family and meeting friends and always enjoying new experiences. He and Sandy enjoyed the company of the “Breakfast Club.”

Jessie was preceded in death by his father, Jesse; and his first wife, Janell; and his mother, Zona.

Jessie is survived by his wife, Sandra; son Gene, Gene’s son Justin, wife Alexa, and their children David and Isabella; and daughter Melissa, her husband Larry, and her daughters Amy and Shelly, and Shelly’s children Alissa and Donny. Also surviving are Sandra’s children whom he considered as his own, Scott Ross; Jeff Ross and his wife, their children Robert and Jason, his wife and their son Blake; Mark Ross and his wife Kathy, their children Matt and Jenny; and Tamara Armentrout, her husband Jeff, with their kids Tyler and Trevor.

A wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle, Jessie will be missed in a great way by many people. Jessie’s family would like to thank hospice for the many services they provided. They made it possible for home to be in this home for this final days.  Also thanks to Dr. Rosetto, Jessie’s VA doctor for the wonderful care he gave him over the years.

“You fought the good fight” and your family fought it with you. “‘Til we meet again.”

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to Home Options Hospice or Veterans Food Pantry.

There will be a memorial service held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home 525 S. Main Street, Kalispell.

Johnson-Gloschat is caring for the family.