RUSSELL GARRARD HOOD

Russell Garrard Hood, 88, of Jefferson City, Missouri, died Sunday, February 17, 2008, at Autumn Meadows Skilled Care. He was born on September 30, 1919, in Colorado City, Texas, the son of James Mortimer and Mary Ray Hargrove Hood. He was united in marriage on July 25, 1947, in Modesto, CA to Mary Elizabeth Pechin. She preceded him in death on November 23, 1986. He was a United States Army veteran of World War II obtaining the rank of sergeant. Russell had been employed with Corps of Engineers from 1953-1954 working on enlarged runways and road system for Edwards Air Force Base. From 1954-1956, he worked for the California Dept. of Water Resources as an engineer geologist on the Feather River Project. He worked with Dames & Moore Consulting Engineers from 1956-1959 as a field engineer and later promoted to a staff position. From 1959-1967, Russell owned and operated the Hood & Schmidt Inc., a geological and geophysical consulting firm. In 1967, he started and co-owned H & S Ranch Inc., a livestock operations until 1972. From 1972-1983, he started the Mod-Wall Inc. serving as president of a residential, commercial, and industrial concrete construction company. Throughout his lifetime Russell held various teaching positions for science and math instruction. Russell authored two autobiographies and a book of poetry. He was a member of Cathedral of St. Joseph, was chairman of the Engineering Geologists Qualification Board for the county of Los Angeles, CA., Toastmasters International, Docent for the Historical Society of Roswell, GA., Senior Enriched Living Program of Roswell, GA., and a contributor to the Habitat for Humanity program in Georgia. Survivors include: one daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Bob Holtkamp, Jefferson City; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Michael and Vici Hood, Roswell, GA; Ross Hood, North Little Rock, Ark.; five grandchildren, Shannon McCarley; John Lefler; Lauren Bass; Rachel Hood; Brianne Holtkamp; two great grandchildren, Ethan McCarley; Evlyn McCarley; one sister, Ruth Anderson, Escalon, CA; four nieces, Suzanne Young; Annette Madison; Leigh Young; Janet Prescott; and four nephews, Dr. Bob Chambers; Stewart Anderson; Mark Anderson; and Lloyd Anderson. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; three sisters, Evelyn Board; Bobbie Lou Hood ; Lois Nell; and one brother, James Hood. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2008, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with the Rev. Jeremy A. Secrist officiating. Military honors will be conducted at the church. Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donors choice. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.