Julia Woods

Julia Ann Woods, 76, of Baker City died Friday, July 2, 2021 at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Baker City.  A Celebration of her life will be held July 10~ 2 p.m. at the Eagle Valley Grange in Richland, OR.

Julia was born in Baker OR, November 9th 1944.  She was raised in Richland and received her education at both Richland Elementary and Eagle Valley High School where she graduated in 1962.

When still in high school she and asked Dean Woods to the Prom, he said yes.  This fateful date later led him to ask her to be his wife. They were married September 1, 1962.

Julia worked as the Baker County Clerk for 18 years until she retired. She and Dean then became snowbirds. They lived in Baker City, OR during the summer and Mesa, AZ during the winter. In between, they traveled as much as possible.

Julia took up Square Dancing in 1972.  She was a member of the Elkhorn Swings Square Dance Club and danced as often as she could.    

Julia enjoyed reading, sewing, and most of all making quilts for her grandkids and great grandkids.  She loved her family, anything purple, roses, the season fall and was a Yankee’s baseball fan.  She was also a dedicated and loyal PBR (Professional Bull Riders) patron. She attended over 400 PBR events including over 20 PBR worlds finals and 33 NFR finals in Las Vegas, NV.

Julia liked to play card games.   However, if she didn’t like the hand she was dealt, she was known to say, “Oh sugar foot”.  She could also give you some fiery looks when ticked off.   Julia lived an active life attending several events a week for many years.  Her husband once asked her if she wanted to slow down and do less. She replied, “No, I want to do more”.

She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Ranny Gover; both sets of grandparents; sister Beth Windam; great-grandson Harrison Woods-Shurtz.

Julia is survived by her husband Dean Woods of 59 years; Children Lori (Carl) Morgan, of Terrebonne, OR and Darin Woods of Nampa, ID; Brother Bill (Marti) Gover; sister Nancy Gover; grandchildren Jacob and Jordan Meeks, Lindsay (Jeremiah) Shine, Shelby (Cody) Henigman, Haley Woods; great grandchildren Ellis and Evelynn Shine; Emerson Woods and Leo Henigman; several nieces and nephews. She loved her PBR family, the cowboys and the lifelong friends that they made.

For those who would like to make a donation in honor of Julia the family suggests the Eagle Valley Cemetery Beautification fund through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services PO Box 543, Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com