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James Alan Mood passed away peacefully on Monday, May 18, 2026 at the age of 91 at his home in Smyrna, Delaware, surrounded by his wife and children.
Jim, as he was known to family and friends, was born June 20, 1934 to John and Alice Mood in Smyrna, Delaware. He attended Smyrna High School, where he lettered in three sports, graduating with the Class of 1952. In 1956, he began a twenty-year career with the Delaware State Police during which time he was assigned as Executive Protection for Governor Charles L. Terry. He retired in 1976 as Chief of the Communications Section with the rank of Staff Captain and was a Life Member of the Association of Retired Delaware State Police.
Jim was deeply dedicated to service in his community. He was a lifetime member of Citizens’ Hose Company, Station 44, in Smyrna where he served as Fire Chief in 1965 and from 1967 to 1970. In his later years, Jim could be seen in parades aboard the Company’s oldest piece of apparatus, a 1928 American LaFrance Type 145 Metropolitan, affectionately referred to as “Old Mom.” He also served the citizens of the Town of Smyrna as a member of the Town Council from 1980 until 1995, was a founding member of St. Polycarp’s Catholic Church and served for decades as the president of the Smyrna Swim Club.
Jim was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather to his family and a friend to countless members of the local community. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, generosity, genuinely good character and for his love for the New York Yankees. Jim is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn, his children James (Virginia) Mood, Jr., Kevin Mood, and Suzanne (Brendan) Carew and three grandchildren, Matteo, Chiara and Mia. He is survived by a sister, Alice Biter, and was predeceased by his sister Virginia and brothers John, Donald and Gerald.
A viewing will be offered on Friday, May 22, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, located at 123 West Commerce Street in Smyrna. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2026 at St. Polycarp Roman Catholic Church, located at 55 Ransom Lane in Smyrna with burial to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Smyrna. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to Delaware Hospice, 555 E. Loockerman Street, Suite 200, Dover, DE 19901 or Martin’s House & Barn, P.O. Box 669, Ridgely, Maryland 21660.
To leave a condolence, please visit http://www.matthewsbryson.com
Arrangements are by Matthews Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna, DE.
