George A. Hood, Jr.

George Hood passed away on 7/2/2023, at the age of 99. He was born George Albert (although he always said his middle name was Aloysius) in Walla Walla, Washington to George and Anna Hood.  He spent most of his youth in Denver, Colorado.  He went to the University of Colorado in Boulder (thanks to the US Navy) with a major in engineering.  After graduating he went on active duty in the Navy where he served as an Ensign and was deployed to Iwo Jima as part of the Seabees, a construction battalion.

His sister, Mary Louise, introduced him to Jean, a nurse who was a Navy Lieutenant Junior.  Their first meeting was at the Top of the Mark in San Francisco.  After much long-distance written correspondence, many phone calls and visits, they were married in St. Louis on August 9, 1949.  George sent money to Jean to purchase a car and they drove to California. George got a job as a civil engineer with the California Department of Transportation where he ended up working for 36 years.  They had the first of 6 children in 1950.  After moving several times for George’s job, they settled in Sacramento in what was to become their permanent home in the Tahoe Park area. They became and remained active members of All Hallows Church for almost 70 years and were married for more than 64 years.

Most of George’s career in the California Department of Transportation was spent in the Bridge Design section.  He won a national award for design for the Coldwater Canyon Arch, in Santa Barbara County.  He retired from state service in 1984.

His family was his top priority.  Jean and George had 6 children and were partners in corralling and guiding their brood. His surviving children and their spouses are Greg and Rose Marie, Carol, Jeff and Elizabeth, Janet, Laura and Joe, and Margaret.  He took great delight in being an awesome grandfather of 18 (Leslie and Dan, Ryan and Sandra, Amy and Tom, Jeanne Marie and Michael, Julie and Jon, Jason and Tracy , Brad and Megan, Sara and Corban, and Lindy and Andrew).  He was “great” papa to a new generation of 13 great grandchildren (Elanor, Lydia, Caleb, Logan, Baxter, Calvin, Hudson, Hadley, Alex, Natalie, Jake, Gavin , and Chloe).  He also welcomed step-grandchildren Grant (Emily), Brennan, Ryan (Claire), Kathleen (Josh), Margaux, and Andrew (Thalia). He is survived by his sisters, Mary Louise Tapella and Nancy (Bob) McGovern and his brother, Robin (Virginia) Hood.  He was preceded in death by Jean in 2014 and his sister, Marjorie Gibson just last December.

He enjoyed retirement, staying very busy and on the move.  He was never one who could sit very long. He and Jean enjoyed travelling in the US and overseas.  He was always available to help his children, the church or others with whatever home improvement or other projects they were attempting.  One of our favorite memories is when we would call him for help with a project and he would be in car before he hung up the phone.  His engineering expertise was often sought after.  He loved golfing with SIRS and his children.  He golfed until 94, and got a hole in one, witnessed by Jeff.  He liked to be on the go and his neighbors could often see him walking around the area well into his 90s.  He spent hours making hundreds of hats for the homeless as well as rosaries for the poor.

George lived almost 70 years in his house where he and Jean raised their family and hosted many gatherings.  Christmases were festive affairs with family enjoying the warmth and joy of these large gatherings.  George would distribute the gifts with help from Laura and Elanor, wearing his father’s plaid vest.  That special vest was held together by rubber bands when he could no longer button it.  He enjoyed many Sunday breakfasts with Greg and whomever else joined in.  Weekly family dinners became a treasured tradition often followed by an enthusiastic card game of 31!

He cared for his wife, Jean, as her health declined, and gave her the wonderful gift of providing the care she needed so that she could remain at home.

George moved to an apartment at Mercy McMahon Terrace for the last month of his life where he received very compassionate support from the staff and was nourished by delicious food.  He also received services to keep him comfortable from Kaiser Hospice.

George will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.

Family and friends are invited to the vigil and remembrance on Wednesday, 7/26/23 at 7PM with a Mass and reception beginning at 10AM the following day, all at St. Peter – All Hallows Church (5501 14^th Ave).  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in his memory to Mercy McMahon Terrace, 3865 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 (on-line at https://supportmercyfoundation.org/special-giving-mmt); All Hallows Church Development Fund, 5500 13th Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95820; or the charity of your choice.