More detail on this person: Alex Woods Jr.
passed away in a single car crash on January 13,
2009. He was born on the Fourth of July, 1942 in
Spokane, WA. He came to Reno after retiring from
the Army in 1992 to serve as the Washoe County
School District's Director of High School Junior
Reserve Officer Corps programs. He was a 1960
graduate of Gonzaga Preparatory High School in
Spokane, where he was20a star basketball player.
Woods went on to Eastern Washington University
on a basketball scholarship, graduating in 1964,
with a ROTC commission as a Second Lieutenant.
Later, he earned his Master's Degree in Education
at Wayne State University.
Alex served 28 years on active duty, commanding
units from a 40-person platoon to a brigade with
over 2,000 service members. His leadership
example always emphasized the positive. He
believed in teamwork, loyalty, and doing what was
right for his subordinates. Woods served two
combat tours in Vietnam and seven years in Europe
during the Cold War. Among his decorations are the
Combat Infantryman's Badge, Master Aviator
Badge, Senior20Parachutist Badge, Expert
Infantryman's Badge, Two Legions of Merit, Two
Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Silver Star,
three Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart, five
Meritorious Service Ribbons, 28 Combat Air
Medals, and the Air Force and Army
Commendation Medals.
In the mid-80s, Col. Woods served as the national
marketing director for all US Army ROTC programs.
He then went on to command all the college and
high school ROTC programs in the five western
states before retiring and joining the Washoe
County School District. Under his direction, the
Washoe County JROTC program earned the highest
praise from Cadet Command and designated the
best program from the Eastern Seaboard to the
West Coast.
Woods had a passion for golf and reigned as the
current Northern Nevada Senior Golf Champion. It
was on the greens that Woods forged and
deepened his legendary friendships. A cheerful
slap on the back and bear paw handshake were his
trademarks. The outdoors was the only spot big
enough to embrace Woods' hearty laugh and robust
optimism.
On or off the golf course, Woods promoted
awareness of the military challenge coins. The
coins were awarded for recognition of good deeds
and service. Recipients of the Silver State
Brigade Coin would find the memento slipped to
them in a congratulatory handshake.
Woods was a familiar face at Hot August Nights
and various classic auto shows. The beautiful
vehicles and the stories behind them transported
Woods to his younger years. As he gazed a t the
classics, Woods would speak of their features,
accessories, colors and other details as if he
were renewing a friendship.
In spite of his military excellence, golfing
expertise and love of classic cars, he was lost in
the domestic scene. After work one day, Alex
wanted a sandwich. But first he had to call his
wife Callie to find out where she kept the bread
and fixings. After his snack, Alex would easy into
his leather recliner and invite the dogs to join
him. When they piled on, this combat veteran would
gently run his hands along their soft fur and
whisper sweet nothings. So established was this
ritual that the dogs continued to hop onto his
chair after their buddy passed on.
Woods is survived by his wife, Callie of Reno;
mother, Patricia Woods of Spokane, WA.;
daughter, Sandy Peters and son, Rob W oods, both
of Rocklin, CA; grandchildren, Tylers Peters,
Alexxa Peters, Cody Peters, and Gracie Woods of
Rocklin, CA; stepdaughter, U.S.A.F. Major
Courtney Hamilton of Tuscon, AZ; stepson, Hunter
Hamilton of Los Angeles; his former wife, Barbara
Woods; and his beloved dogs. Woods was
preceded in death by his father, Alex Woods Sr.
and his sister, Linda Woods, both of Spokane, WA.
A military memorial was held on January 22, 2009
at Reno High School. Hundreds of mourners and
various dignitaries honored their friend. Woods
was cremated and his mother was presented with
the ashes by his wife, Callie. In lieu of flowers,
the family requests that any donations be directed
to20the JROTC District Office, Reno High School.
You may also honor Col. Woods by flying the
American flag and remembering the American
soldier for service to this great country.
Hooah, Sir. We will always remember with gratitude
your profound contributions to so many. Rest now,
and rest easy. Rest in peace. These proceedings
are closed. With honor.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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