John Hood

John William Hood, 87, of Dunnegan, was called home to glory on Friday, April 21, 2023 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. He passed from injuries sustained in a four-wheeler accident and from undiagnosed renal cell carcinoma that he had been battling the past 2-3 years. John was born in Bolivar, Missouri on April 26, 1935. He was a 1952 graduate of Bolivar High School. At the age of 13, he battled polio that stunted his left arm and hand, but he could do anything and outwork everyone on his dairy, swine farm and cattle ranch with his amazingly strong right arm and unfailing work ethic. You would often find John socializing at the Sale Barn on Friday nights, and he had a great appreciation for his wonderfully caring neighbors. Even up until late fall of 2022, he had nearly 100 head of beef cattle, and had full intentions to plant his annual garden this spring to generously share his tomatoes - typically growing 100 tomato plants, among many other vegetables and melons. John married Willa Jean (Reynolds) in 1966 and together they raised their five children – Mark, Brenda, Jane, June and Nancy. He dearly loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and always did all in his power to make their lives better. He loved the large holiday family gatherings Hand cooking full ham dinners for his family and cherished farming and sharing that life with his brother, Jerry, only a few miles from him. He enjoyed bringing his young family annually to the Ozark Empire State Fair, the 4th of July fireworks celebrations and especially looked forward to taking his kids trick-or-treating to eat candy in the car as they knocked door-to-door in Humansville. John was a volunteer member of the Dunnegan Fire Department and enjoyed barbecuing the chickens every year at Dunnegan Springs Park. You could always hear classic Country-Western music playing in his milk barn, and he liked Hank Williams, John Wayne and watching any good Western on TV. John was also an avid deer hunter, and for 17 straight years, graciously hosted his son-in-law, Kirk, and Kirk’s dad, Archie, and two brothers during deer season. In recent years, some of his grandsons have also enjoyed hunting on his 300-acre farm. He is preceded in death by his parents, Anthony L. and Fern (Sheridan) Hood; brothers Gene Allen (Iris) and Jerry (Joyce) Hood, and sister Waneta (Roy Marvin) Mann. He is survived by his former wife Willa Jean Hood; children Mark Troy (Pam) Hood of Dunnegan, Brenda Jean (Kirk) Poole of Cleveland, GA, Rita Jane (Kevin) Duchscherer of Morrisville, Ella June (David) McCullough of Lilburn, GA, and Nancy Jon (Scott) Pippert of Kansas City, KS; thirteen grandchildren Cheri (Brian) Fisher, Kamron Hood (Kasey Bayer), Ana Hood, Aundrea (William) Johnson, Alexander (Tamara) Poole, Victor, Gavin and Landon Duchscherer, Brody, Hudson and Brooke McCullough, Chance and Sydnee Pippert; great-grandchildren Cash and Jackson Fisher, Juan Depaz, Maddox, Margaret, Micah, Madelyn, Marybeth and Malachi Johnson, Greyson Poole, Brock and Teagan Bayer, as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. John left this world professing his faith and sharing a testimony of the Good Lord saving his soul and seeing him through many dangerous and serious situations throughout his life. He was a cherished father, grandfather, friend and neighbor, and will be greatly missed until we meet again on the other side. Visitation for John will be held 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2023 and Funeral Service is 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, MO. Graveside service to follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar, MO.

John Hood

April 26, 1935 - April 21, 2023