WOOLBRIGHT, James Henry

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Tuesday, March 2, 2010 James Henry Woolbright, 82, of Lake Havasu City, went to be with our Lord Feb. 25, 2010. He was born Feb. 19, 1928, in Trumann, Ark., the son of Roy (Griffin) and Sadie (Barker) Woolbright. Jim was a member of the Lake Havasu Church of Christ on North Palo Verde in Lake Havasu City. He was a great servant to God, his family, church and community. Many knew him as “Pawpaw.” He was truly a man of integrity, humor and grace. He attended Shady Grove Elementary, Trumann High School, ASU in Jonesboro, Ark., and ITT in Chicago, Ill. He played several sports including baseball and basketball. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy, as an aviation ordnanceman, Third Class in World War II. He worked 29 years in Chicago, at Kropp Forge Company, division of Anadite Corp. He received many awards and certificates of recognition during his advancement with the company. In 1984, as production control manager, he retired and moved to Lake Havasu City. For 10 years, 1998-2008, Jim served as president of the Shady Grove Reunion in Trumann, Ark., where his joy was to bring longtime friends and families together to share memories and good times. He liked to watch football, basketball, baseball, and enjoyed doing Sudoku and crossword puzzles. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, James Steven; his parents; Roy and Sadie; sisters, Mary Kathryn, Dorothy Jean, Thelma Faye Cowser and Marilyn Ann Clem; a brother, Bobbie Roy; and half-brothers, Royal and Robert. His sisters, Carolyn Sue Swindle, of Mins, Fla., and Sandra Kay Jeffrey, of Cape Canaveral, Fla., survive him. Survived by his loving wife and childhood sweetheart, Nora (Watters), was married 61 years. He admired and cherished her as they raised their six children together in Illinois. Jim also is survived by his children, daughters, Peggy (Jerry) Nowakowski, of Searcy, Ark., Diana Foti, and Donna (Dennis) Grosser, of Lake Havasu City; and sons, Jack Woolbright, of Lake Havasu City, and Phillip (April) Woolbright, of Peoria. He treasured his 13 grandchildren; Jerry Jr. (Carol) and Deanna Nowakowski, Jenny Mick, Keith (Gina) Fernung, Jason (Ashleigh) and Jessica Woolbright, Stephanie, Anthony, Alex, Chandler Woolbright, Kenneth, Tim, Nichole Grosser; and 10 great-grandchildren, Hailey and Lindsay Nowakowski, Justen and K’Lee Bender, Darwin and Azara Mick, Draven and Zavior Romo, Brayden Bernard and Kayde Fernung. Jim’s family expresses its deep gratitude for all who have surrounded us with prayers, love and many acts of kindness. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning, at the Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home in Lake Havasu City; Chapel services after visitation, officiated by Jim’s youngest son, Phillip Woolbright, and Graveside Interment to follow at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family suggests that memorials may be made to the James H. Woolbright Memorial Fund, Wells Fargo Bank, Box 2453, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.