Book about part-time High Country resident, internationally recognized doctor and US military hero James (Jim) Wood published

By Tim Gardner

A book about the military and medical career as well as the personal life of part-time resident of the North Carolina High Country, James (Jim) Wood, has been published.

Through The Life and Times of James (Jim) WoodHe shares his professional and personal memories of the experiences that made him a national military hero, an internationally recognized physician, an exemplary family man, and a long-time supporter in various capacities of many community, civic, governmental and religious missions, as well as other worthy causes around the world, including in the High Country.

The book, written by High Country Press journalist Tim Gardner, has been called a fascinating read and a must-read for anyone who has a connection to Wood, is interested in the military or medical profession, or simply enjoys a good book.

Wood's love for the United States of America, our military, his work as a physician, his family, his colleagues, friends, and those in need is reflected in the book. Wood recalls these and various other subjects, events, and people he associated with throughout his life in numerous detailed, thorough, and inspiring memoirs.

In fact, Wood, who lives in Johnson City, Tennessee, and also has a part-time residence at Grandfather Mountain Golf and Country Club in Linville, has led an interesting and highly successful life, as evidenced by the following biographical details on which the book focuses:

*Graduated from Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he served as official horn player.

*Graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (Bachelor of Science).

*Graduate of the University of Tennessee School of Medicine (Doctor of Medicine degree).

*After graduating from the University of Tennessee School of Medicine, he was licensed to practice medicine in the states of Tennessee and Mississippi.

*He next completed a three-month training at the School of Aerospace Medicine in San Antonio, Texas.

*Captain, flight surgeon, United States Air Force. During the Vietnam War he served in the 12th (Twelfth) Air Force. From October 1967 to June 1968 he was initially stationed at the headquarters of James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Texas. The 12th Air Force was placed under the Tactical Air Command, while its organizational headquarters was stationed at James Connally Air Force Base (AFB).

*Also stationed at three other military locations: Belgian Congo or Zaire (also known as Democratic Republic of Congo or Congo-Kinshasa), Africa Joint Task Force, Strike Command from November to December 1967, and U-Tapao, Thailand from July 1968 to June 1969. While on duty in Thailand, he was also transferred to and stationed at the U.S. Embassy in India for six weeks.

*Between his deployments to the Belgian Congo Joint Task Force and Thailand, during the eight months from December 1967 to July 1968, he was also sent back to work from Headquarters 12th (Twelfth) Air Force Base in Waco.

*Was the military emergency physician on duty for former U.S. President Lyndon Johnson when President Johnson and his entourage flew to the Austin, Texas area, where Johnson and his wife Claudia (Lady Bird) were both from.

*Worked as a general practitioner (MD), surgeon, and otolaryngologist at various hospitals, including those in Memphis, Johnson City, and Elizabethton, Tennessee, and at the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital at Mountain Home in Johnson City.

*Co-founder of the Johnson City Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, Johnson City Eye and Ear Hospital and Watauga Hearing Conservation in Johnson City.

*Member of the Board of Directors of Lees-McRae College, Grandfather Home for Children, and Holston Presbytery Camp and Retreat Center, all in Banner Elk.

*Member of the Board of Directors of Ashbury Place Kingsport (Baysmont) Retirement Center in Kingsport, Tennessee.

*Served as a commissioner of the Housing Authority and Planning Board for the City of Johnson.

*Has done missionary work in Honduras with his wife, Ann, and other members of their church, the First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City.

*Father of four children: three daughters – Helen, Patty and Wendy – and a son, James Jr. (deceased). Has numerous other dependents.

*Has traveled to more than two dozen countries.

The Life and Times of James (Jim) Wood The book is 206 pages, available in paperback, and includes dozens of images and a list of links to many of his other images that readers can type into an Internet address bar, hit “Enter” and access. The book is published by BookBaby of Pennsauken, New Jersey, under the direction of publishing specialist Sierra Edwards. The book's design and layout were done by Beth Shanklin of Professional Printers Company, based in Columbia, South Carolina, and supervised by project manager Melissa Yount.

The foreword by The Life and Times of James (Jim) Wood was provided by Jesse Pope, President and CEO of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, a close friend of Wood. Liner notes on the back cover of the book were also contributed by former United States Congressman (Tennessee's First Congressional District), Johnson City Commission member, Vice Mayor and Mayor Phil Roe, who also has a part-time home in the North Carolina High Country and attended medical school with Wood, Avery County County Commissioner Martha Jaynes Hicks of the Heaton Community, human resources consultant and trainer Ann Wilson Castro of Bakersville, and U.S. Army veteran and current federal government employee and Wood's nephew Meriwether Anderson Sale.

The Life and Times of James (Jim) Wood The book costs $35.00 per copy and can be ordered by calling Wood at (423) 431-8023 or Gardner at (828) 387-7347. It is also available online at amazon.com. For mail orders, contact Wood or Gardner for prices including postage or shipping. You can also call Wood to schedule a book signing.

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