It really depends on the extent of the damage. It's hard to give specific advice when we can't see the same thing that you can. If you can snap a picture and upload it to a website like photobucket or picasa you can share the link here. My first thought is that if the damage isn't real bad (and the wood is painted) you could possibly drill out and fill the screw holes with glue and a couple golf tees. And the rest of the damage could be patched with bondo, sanded and painted. But if it's stained wood, and the damage extends beyond the strike plate, then a total latch side jamb replacement is probably your best option, since any sort of pieced in patch would stand out like a sore thumb on a stained and varnished jamb.

Thanks for the reply Gunguy. We live where burglary isn't as much of a concern as it is in other parts of the country. Especially 60 years ago when this door was installed. In fact, there is no deadbolt on this door, just a knob lock. I bet when this door was first installed, the door was rarely ever locked. Hmmm... We get a little sun, but probably not direct sun. The house faces East, and has a little inset of about 2 feet from the exterior wall, and then about another 1 foot overhang for the roof. I'd say it gets early morning direct sun but by the time the sun gets high it is shaded. Even in the best case scenario, though, how often are we talking about repainting?

Well...the paint will only be for looks on the door itself..the trim and frame is a different story. Basically..since its pretty much protected from most weather...I'd repaint when it looks bad...lol. You may get a little chaulking over time..but that won't really affect the door. A good quality latex over a good quality primer (also latex, due to the expansion thing) should prob last 8-10 yrs with no problem. Make sure the door is super clean! Check the manufacturers recommendations...but thats what most door makers said back when I was selling them.