James Woodrow "Woody" Counts, 90, Mr. Counts, was an administrator for 31 years and was an Arlington school superintendent from 1979 to 1985.

Woody was born in Bynum on Jan. 25, 1916. He graduated from Bynum High School in 1934 and attended then Hillsboro Junior College on a basketball scholarship. After two years at Hillsboro, Woody finished his undergraduate degree at then North Texas State University, also on a basketball scholarship. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1938 and later earned a master's degree, also from NTSU. Upon graduation, Woody began his career in public education by teaching and coaching on the junior high school level in the Harlingen Independent School District.

In June 1942, Woody enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a chief petty officer, rising to the rank of first lieutenant. He served at the Kaneoe Naval Base and aboard the battleship USS Texas from 1942 to 1945. After serving his country, he returned to a career in public education that would span over 40 consecutive years.

In 1949, Woody moved to Arlington, teaching and coaching at Arlington High School, and in 1951 became the principal at Speer Elementary School.

In 1954, Woody transferred to the Arlington ISD central office and in 1955 became the assistant superintendent. While Mr. Counts had numerous responsibilities during the next 24 years, his greatest challenge was to identify and hire the best teachers, administrators and support staff possible for the district as the city of Arlington grew from 1,200 to over 300,000 people. While the actual count of the number of educators and staff Woody hired is difficult to determine, one estimate places it at over 3,000 individuals.

Woody never forgot anyone he hired; it was one of his greatest strengths. Right up to his last days he could remember their names and where they taught or worked within the Arlington ISD.

Mr. Counts went on to be named the superintendent of Arlington ISD in 1979 and guided the system for six years, maintaining high educational standards and a sound fiscal base as it experienced rapid growth, the continual building of schools and hiring of personnel. His retirement banquet in 1985, attended by over 1,200, was the largest retirement party given to honor a resident of the city of Arlington.

During Woody's four-plus decades as a dedicated teacher, coach and administrator with the Arlington ISD, he received many honors, including Administrator of the Year, the Paul Harris Fellowship and the key to the city of Arlington. He was rewarded a final honor upon retirement when the Arlington ISD Administration Building on Pioneer Parkway was renamed the James Woodrow Counts Administration Building.

In addition to his work for the Arlington ISD, Woody was also active in the community. He served many years as a lay teacher at First United Methodist Church of Arlington and as the chairman of its board. In addition, he was a longtime member of the Arlington Kiwanis Club and served as President.

Woody and Joy shared a passion for life and living it. They were always together, traveling the world, playing bridge, going to Cowboys and Rangers games and eating out with family and friends at Woody's favorite, Joe T. Garcia's.

Woody was preceded in death by his parents, James Porter Counts and Ova Florence Counts; his brother, Clovis "Toby" Counts; and his first wife, Newana.

Survivors: Wife and loving partner, Joy of Arlington; daughter, Laurie Hagstom and her husband, Steven, of Fort Worth; son, David Lotven of Arlington.