Cover photo for Woodie Jamison's Obituary
Woodie Jamison Profile Photo
1955 Woodie 2021

Woodie Jamison

June 5, 1955 — October 10, 2021

Hillsboro

On Sunday October 10, 2021, surrounded by family, Woodie Jamison, husband of Rebecca “Judy” Jamison of Hillsboro, KY passed peacefully at home.  Woodie was born June 5, 1955, to the late Elwood and Emma Moore Jamison.

Woodie knew early in life that he wanted to be an Educator.  After Graduating from Morehead State University, he did his student teaching at Fleming County High School, taught one year in Morgan County and in 1979 Woodie permanently returned to Fleming County where he would teach at both Fox Valley (later Ward Elementary) and the home of his Wildcats, Hillsboro Elementary.  Woodie was instrumental in beginning many programs at Hillsboro Elementary that are still ongoing today.

Shortly after Woodie began teaching, he started Coaching, first for elementary basketball and baseball, then in 1987 Woodie moved to High School Track & Field, where he found his true calling and would be named head coach in 1988.  Woodie wanted to ensure that if a student wanted to participate, he would make a way, and he did.  There was never a student that wanted to be on his team that couldn’t because “they couldn’t afford to” or “they needed a ride”, Woodie always made a way for them.  “Coach J”, as his athletes quickly nicknamed him, built a Track & Field/Cross Country program in Fleming County that produced several State Champions, but more importantly he built a bond with young people that has held the test of time.  He has been their Coach, their Mentor, their friend, for some their parent, but for all of them He was always there!  Woodie started the J’s Rebels Running Club to have a summer program for students.  To help his Track & Field/Cross Country teams, yes, but it also gave the kids something to do in the summer.  They had fundraisers and participated in road races and took vacations every year to the Midnight Run in Pigeon Forge, TN.  Woodie loved being a Coach, he was proud of all of the kids that ever ran for him.  He could tell you stats/records from years ago.  If you ever ran for Coach J, he remembered you and you made him proud!

Woodie and Judy were married in 1992 and his proudest moments came in 1993 and 1995 when Em and Liz came into the world.  This family of four could be seen throughout the ‘90s at football and basketball games, cheering on the Panthers and Lady Panthers.  If it was a sporting event in Fleming County, more than likely the Jamison’s were there.  Judy and the girls quickly learned that they would need to go where the running was if they wanted to spend time with Woodie.  And so, they did.  Supporting the “Boys in Black” and “The FleminGos” consumed their childhood.  When the girls were little, they were walking in Road Races and participating in The Bluegrass State Games.   In 2002 Woodie retired and gave up Coaching to watch his girls.  T-Ball morphed into Softball, there was some Cheerleading along the way, but through it all Woodie found out his greatest athletes were his own, the Jamison girls themselves.  Through sports, dating, graduating, more dating and finally marriage (for Liz) Woodie found his greatest joy…. grandchildren, Kurtiss, Kadence, Emmalynn, and Ellouise!  Papaw as they called him was famous for getting them gummy snacks, playing games, showing them old home videos, but most importantly making them laugh, smile, and know they were loved daily. The most wonderful part of all of his days ended with these four faces.  He truly loved them unconditionally and as he would say they were the lighters of his lamp.

Woodie is survived by his wife, Judy Jamison, his two daughters, Emily Faith Jamison, and Elizabeth (Matthew) Jenkins both of Hillsboro, his four grandchildren, Kurtiss Jenkins, Kadence Jenkins, Emmalynn Jenkins, and Ellouise Jenkins, a special cousin Cindy (Bill) Jolly, his father-in-law Robert Weaver, Sr., and several cousins, nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elwood and Emma Jamison, an infant sister, Patty Sue Jamison, his cousin and best friend, Louise Miller Kissick, his Aunt Delores “Toots” Jamison, his Mother-in-law, Beulah Weaver, and his faithful companion, Teddy, who passed on August 22, 2021.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 13, 2021 in the chapel of the Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Flemingsburg with Chaplain David Gooding officiating.

Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery.

Visitation is after 5:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Kurtiss Jenkins, Matthew Jenkins, Ross Jolly, Andrew Jolly, Ryan Miller, Robert Workman, Aaron Workman, and Dalton Leet.

Honorary Pallbearers will be J’s Rebels Running Club members and Coach J’s Track & Field/Cross Country Alumni.

The family request contributions to the Cancer Care Club, P. O. Box 189, Flemingsburg, KY 41041 or Fairview Cemetery, C/O Rhonda Burns, 1088 Harpers Ridge Road, Mt. Sterling, KY 40353.

The Michael R. Gray Funeral Home, 405 South Main Cross Street, Flemingsburg, Kentucky 41041 is caring for all arrangements.

To send flowers to the family in memory of Woodie Jamison, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

5:00 - 9:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Funeral Service

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Starts at 1:00 pm (Eastern time)

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