Southwest Open School recently received a donation of woodworking tools from Dolores resident John Jackson Wood, who has prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.
Casey Simpson, SWOS director, told The Journal that he was contacted by John Woods’ daughter, Jennifer Woods, who said her father wished to donate his woodworking tools to SWOS to “help us uplift our hands-on woodworking class.”
“John told his daughter that he really respects and values the service that SWOS provides to the community and he wanted his tools to support our work,” Simpson told The Journal. “Scott Spear (SWOS’ hands-on learning teacher) and I went to John's house and retrieved the tools. and it is clear that the man was an excellent craftsman and that his donation was amazingly generous. John's sentiment about SWOS is the type of impression SWOS strives for and we really appreciate his affirmation.”
Wood was described as a man who has had “a rich and varied life dedicated to education, community service and the arts.”
Woods, who has a Ph.D., had a 28-year career in anthropology at Northern Arizona University and worked with the Navajo Nation in the 1980s.
“His assessments contributed to understanding the relationship between the Navajo people and their land, culminating in a report presented in Washington, D.C., that explored the intersections of land, religion and cultural identity,” Woods’ bio said.
When Woods retired at the age of 53, he and his wife moved to Dolores, where they became “deeply involved” in the community. Along with other residents, Woods and his wife helped establish the Greater Dolores Action, a nonprofit that assesses and advocates for the needs and “aspirations” of the community.
Along with working with the Greater Dolores Action, Woods began learning woodworking. For eight years, he “honed his craft,” built furniture for their home and commissioned pieces. These pieces include a deacon’s chair and oak table. He also started blacksmithing, taking a class in Santa Fe.
“This new passion birthed a workshop on his property where he crafted tools, gates, railings, trellises and smaller items, engaging in the craft for two decades and participating in local craft fairs,” his bio shared.
After being diagnosed with prostate cancer that spread to his bones, Woods took up watercolor painting for several years.
“Throughout his varied artistic endeavors, woodworking, blacksmithing and painting, he emphasized traditional techniques, seeking to learn and preserve the ‘old ways’ of craftsmanship,” his bio said. “His commitment to experiential education was evident in his desire to pass on his woodworking tools to the Southwest Open School, believing fervently in the power of hands-on learning for future generations.”
According to those close to him, his journey “reflects a deep engagement with both his community and the artistic traditions he cherished, leaving a lasting legacy through his contributions and teachings. His willingness to share his skills with youths at the Southwest Open School stands as a testament to his belief in fostering creativity and knowledge in the next generation.”
