Jerry F. Woods, a mayor of Granby and former Grand County Commissioner, died peacefully Monday, Jan. 20, at the home of his son in Salida, Colo. He was 86.

Mr. Woods came to Granby in 1947. He was the Coors beer distributor for the county for 45 years, working with C and H Distributing and making many friends across the county. He took on leadership roles in local politics through his membership in the Democratic Party and was the mayor of Granby for four terms (1972-1984). He then became Grand County Commissioner for one term.

He was known for a conciliatory and inclusive style of leadership that helped usher East Grand County into the era of rapid growth due to the expansion of the resort industry — downhill skiing and snowmobiling — in the Rockies.

He was born Nov. 3, 1927 in Wentworth, Mo. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and served both in WWII and the Korean War. Woods was also an active and enthusiastic participant in the Granby Kiwanis Club.

He married Betty Jo Woods, a longtime and popular teacher in the East Grand schools, in 1952. She died in 2006. They had two children: a daughter, Dana Woods of Denver, and a son, Martin (daughter-in-law Betty) in Salida.

Mr. Woods lived in Granby after his retirement until 2006 when health issues prompted a move first to Pagosa Springs, Colo., to live with his son and then to Salida. Services are set to take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Granby. He was cremated.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to: Heart of the Rockies Hospice, P.O. Box 1168, Salida, CO 81201 in Jerry’s name.