James Woodward Alford

James Woodward Alford age 81 of Hugo, MN died peacefully, Monday, December 8, 2025 at his home.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Jim was born November 27, 1944, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Charles A. and Kathryn D. (Jonas) Alford. He was the eldest of five children.

From a young age, Jim loved the outdoors and felt most at peace in nature. Although his family moved several times and eventually settled on the East Coast in New Jersey, his connection to Minnesota remained unwavering. His heart was forever anchored to the state, and his Minnesota roots ran deep.  Every summer during break from school, he would come back to Minnesota and help his grandparents on their farm in Hastings.

Jim graduated from South St. Paul High School in 1962, where he was a member of the state championship debate team. He continued his education at St. Thomas College and the University of Minnesota.

While in high school, Jim met the love of his life, Barbara Burmann, at Klub Kaposia in South St. Paul. Their friendship quickly blossomed into a lifelong love, and they were united in marriage on July 31, 1964. To this union, three children were born: Phillip, Jason and Melissa.

Jim began his career with 3M as a young man and dedicated 36 years of service to the company. He served as a mechanical engineer and design manager, eventually becoming plant manager of 3M’s facility in Staples, Minnesota. During his career, he helped design and develop capital equipment that transformed raw materials into many of the products used by people every day. He held several patents and took great pride in his work, enjoying both the challenges and the relationships he built throughout his career.

Following their time in Staples, Jim and Barbara returned to the Twin Cities and eventually found their forever home on Sunset Lake in Hugo, Minnesota.

Outside of work, Jim was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. Some of his most treasured memories were trips with close friends Tom and Barry, often near his cabin in Hinckley, Minnesota. Jim also enjoyed playing and watching many sports. He started a cherished family tradition of an annual family picnic and competition where he handmade trophies for all the winning teams.

Jim was a man of endless energy, rarely sitting still. He was always working on a project and had the remarkable ability to fix or build nearly anything. One of his most cherished creations was a replica of the Eiffel Tower that he built for his granddaughter’s wedding.

Family was the center of Jim’s life. He treasured time spent at the family cabin in Squaw Lake, where countless weekends were filled with fishing, swimming, and boat rides with his children. In later years, as “Grandpa Woody,” he joyfully relived those moments with his grandchildren on Sunset Lake. He had a special soft spot for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and delighted in making them smile — even dressing up as his favorite Christmas character, the Grinch.

Jim will be remembered as a remarkable man — intelligent, kind, hardworking, and deeply loving. His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched, the things he built, and the family he cherished.

Jim is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara Alford of Hugo, MN; one son, Jason Alford of St. Paul, MN; one daughter, Melissa (Lennie) Drewelow of New Hampton, IA; four grandchildren, Justin Alford of St. Paul, James Alford of Hugo, Hayley (Andy) Hugeback of New Hampton, IA, Michael (Haylee) Drewelow of New Hampton, IA; three great-grandchildren, Mila, Brooks, Hudson Hugeback; siblings, Kathy Nieboer of California, Tom (Toni) Alford of Florida, Tim (Debbie) Alford of Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Phillip Alford; Jason’s life partner, Michelle Kraklau; one brother, Greg Alford.