Raymond J. "Am" Woods

Raymond J. “Am” Woods, 94, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away Tuesday, July 4, 2017, at Valley Eldercare Center in Grand Forks. Raymond was born on May 31, 1923, the son of William Arthur & Annie (Maltman) Woods.  He graduated high school in 1941, class of eleven in Forest River, ND.  He attended agricultural college at NDSU until serving in the US Army for 20 months.  He returned to the family farm in Oct. of 1948. On Thanksgiving day, November 22, 1951, Raymond married Donna Lou Facey at her parents’ home near Gilby, ND.  Am and Donna raised 5 children, Barbara (Max) Danner, Arthur (Debbie) Woods, Roger (Kim) Woods, Paul (Jessica) Woods and Scott (Susan) Woods. Along with operating the family farm where he grew grains, beans and sugar beets, Am was also a rural mail carrier for 37 years. Am held many local board positions including, 4H Leader, American Legion Post #251, St. Johns Masonic Lodge, Forest River Farmers Elevator Board, Forest River Township Treasurer, Midway School Board, Forest River Community Church Elder, and served on the Forest River Cemetery Board. After retirement Am learned to golf where he actually got a hole-in-one.  He also loved to travel, garden, and was an avid Midway Sports Fan. To commemorate the 1987 Forest River Centennial, Am and Gilbert Sampel walked in the footsteps of their forefathers from Fishers Landing, MN to Forest River a total of 45 miles. Am is survived by his wife of 65 years; 5 children and their spouses; 13 grandchildren; 2- step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 10 step-great-grandchildren; brother, John P.(Phil) Woods; sisters-in-law, Orella (Pat) Woods & Della Umphrey; brother-in-law, Dean (Eunice) Facey, Robert Umphrey and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Robert & Dallas Woods; sister, Louise Dunlop; sister-in-law, Florence Facey; brothers-in-law, John Howard Dunlop, Keith & Patrick Facey and son-in-law, Max Danner. **Memorials may be directed to the Forest River American Legion #251 or Memorial Park Cemetery Fund, Forest River, ND. Funeral Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 8 at Forest River Community Church in Forest River, ND, with a luncheon to follow the interment. Visitation: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a 7pm prayer service on Friday, July 7 at Amundson Funeral Home 2975 S. 42nd St. Grand Forks, ND.  Visitation will continue the hour prior to the service in the church. Interment: Memorial Park Cemetery, Forest River, ND.