Jack R. Woods

Jack Ray Woods, 82, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2016 surrounded by his loving family at his home.

Jack, a native Idahoan born July 28, 1933 in Shoshone, was the second child (Mildred was the first) born to Ernest Henry Clay Woods and Dorothea Lulu Shulsen. The family moved to Jerome where his brother, Clayton Eugene was born in 1935; the growing family returned to Shoshone in 1937 and remained there until after his sister, Delores Christine was born in 1939.

Jack joined the U.S. Navy in 1952 where he served with Military Air Transport Service (MATS) until 1956.

Jack married Lila June Wellard in 1956 and together they had five children and were later divorced. He later married LaRee Ellett Luras in 1969 and from this marriage one more child was added to the family.

Jack's hobbies included softball, flag football, and city league basketball; however boxing was his love. He was a boxing coach with VFW 1969-1983, and then became a co-founder of Gate City Boxing. Jack was a boxing coach for 45 years, was the President of the Idaho USA Boxing Association for 14 years, the President of the Idaho Golden Gloves for 8 years, and received the Outstanding Judge Award in 2006 at the National Golden Gloves competition in Omaha, Nebraska.

Jack is survived by his eight children, Susan (James) Richardson; Ernie (Hiedi)Woods; Julie (Eddie) Romero; Ron Luras; Tracey (Melanie) Luras; Mike (Kathy) Luras; Pat (Alaina) Luras; a sister, Dee (Clark) Wellard; 14 grandchildren, 47 great and great-great-grandchildren.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, LaRee; parents, Ernest and Dorothea Woods; a brother, Clay; his sister, Mildred; and two sons, Eugene and Lynn.

Funeral services for Jack will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road. A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6-8 PM and one hour prior to the services on Saturday. His interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, with Military Rites provided by Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard.

Memories and condolences may be shared with his family by following the "Share a Memory" tab on this page. Jack's family suggests memorial contributions be made in his name to the Gate City Boxing Club, 323 North Main Street, Pocatello, ID 83204.