James Arthur 'Art' Wood

Assistant Chief Judge JAMES ARTHUR (ART) WOOD, beloved husband of Joan Elaine Wood of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the age of 70 years. Art was born November 30, 1939 in Regina, Saskatchewan, graduating from Strathcona Composite High School, Edmonton in 1957. As a high school student he knew he wanted to be a pilot especially after receiving a flying scholarship through the Air Cadet organization. He later attended the University of Alberta, graduating in 1961 with a B.Sc. in Pharmacy. It was during these years that his interest in the military having served with the University Reserve Training and Regular Officers Plan resulted in him joining the Royal Canadian Air Force commissioned as Flying Officer. He qualified as a pilot and in 1964 was promoted to Flight Lieutenant later instructing students on propeller driven and jet aircraft. While in the Air Force in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba he met and married Joan on December 7, 1963. Shortly afterward they moved to Red Deer, Alberta remaining in the Air Force for a brief time. While practicing pharmacy in Edmonton he resumed studies at the University of Alberta in law graduating with an L.L.B in 1970. Upon graduation they moved to Lethbridge articling for one year and was admitted to the Alberta Bar Association in 1971. He became a partner in a local law firm practicing for a dozen years before accepting an appointment to the Provincial Court of Alberta on September 28, 1984 later appointed as Assistant Chief Judge in 1989 and continuing to serve until retiring in 2007. During his appointment he served on numerous judicial committees and was recognized for outstanding contributions to the administration of criminal justice including early case resolution, computer applications and videoconferencing projects. Art was active in the community as a Board Member of the Lethbridge Family Service,Secretary and President of the Victorian Order of Nurses and a Board Member of the United Way also assisting with the Y.W.C.A. on numerous occasions. He also served in the Rotary Club, the Lethbridge United Services Institute and as secretary of the Lethbridge Bar Association in 1980. He served as Chairman of the Board at the Lethbridge Community College from 1977 to 1981 continuing to serve on the President's Advisory Council for a further eight years and was honoured as an inductee into the Hall of Fame at the 47th annual convocation ceremonies in 2004. On July 23, 2005 Art was initiated as an honorary chief of the Blood Band of the Blackfoot Indian Confederacy under the name of O'muhksapop (Big Plume) in recognition of his work with the Bloods. All who knew him will sadly miss Art. He is survived by Joan, his wife of 47 years, sons Barry (wife Cathy) of Mountain View and Richard (wife Lori) of Calmar; sister Gail Anderson (husband Ron) of Edmonton; brother Bob of Lethbridge and seven grandchildren: Mathew, Cody, Jordan, Rachel, Adam, Rebecca and Jonah. He was predeceased by son Allen (wife Wilma) of Edmonton. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at the family home in Lethbridge.

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