JEAN LIVINGSTON HOOD
Jan. 4, 1923-March 16, 2015
Jean Livingston Hood, 92, of Grantham, passed away Monday morning, March 16, 2015, at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro.
Jean was born on Jan. 4, 1923, to the late Grover and Emma Rose Hood, in Grantham.
He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II with the 352nd Fighter Group, spending two and a half years in Europe.
Jean was awarded six Bronze Battle Stars and two Presidential Unit Citations, among other awards.
He served as chaplain of the 352nd Fighter Group Association for more than 25 years.
Over the years, Jean dedicated memorials at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs; the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio; the 8th Air Force Museum in Savannah, Ga.; and cemeteries in England, France and Belgium.
He was given the great honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Arlington National Cemetery, representing the 352nd Fighter Group.
At the age of 35, Jean received the call into the ministry.
He attended Atlantic Christian College, Mount Olive College and Duke University Pastor's school.
During his ministry, he served six appointments in the United Methodist Church (Brogden-Elm Street-Mt. Carmel, 1958; Pink Hill, 1962; Hookerton-Rainbow, 1968; Glendale Heights, 1972; Roseboro, 1977; Wilson Winstead, 1983).
He retired in 1988.
Following retirement, he served five additional churches, Beston, Walker Memorial, Daniels Memorial, Jefferson and St. Luke.
His final service was having his beloved wife, Elizabeth's, funeral in February 2014.
Jean and Elizabeth Cox Hood grew up across the swamp from each other.
They went through school and graduated from Grantham High School together in 1940.
They were married for nearly 68 wonderful years.
Jean leaves behind his loving children, Carol and husband, Ray Pridgen, of Snow Hill, Betty and husband, Barry Small, of Charlotte, and Danny and wife, Karen Hood, of Chapin, S.C.
He had seven grandchildren, Michael Pridgen and wife, Heidi, of Greenville, Melissa and husband, Michael Dixon, of Snow Hill, Stancil Hood and wife, Courtney, of Columbia, S.C., William DiMaggio and wife, Jessie, of Columbia, S.C., Matthew Small and wife, Erin, of Tega Cay, S.C., Elizabeth Laxague and husband, Adam Fiebelkorn, of Milwaukee, Wisc., Jason Laxague and wife, Jennifer, of Fort Collins, Colo.; and seven great-grandchildren, Raeanne and Reagan Dixon, Lillie and Tucker Pridgen, Abigail DiMaggio, and Addisyn Hinson and Cameron Hood.
He is also survived by his brothers, James and Manfred, and a sister, Ruth Bennett.
In addition to his parents and spouse, Jean was preceded in death by his brothers, Durwood, Gordon, Joe, Horace; sisters, Agnes Harrell and Elizabeth Smith; and a grandson, Mark Small.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at Seymour Funeral Home, 1300 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2015, at Seymour Funeral Home with the Rev. Jon Strother, the Rev. Ray Broadwell, the Rev. Ken McCoy, the Rev. Tony Calhoun and the Rev. Patrick Muston officiating.
He will be laid to rest following the service at Wayne Memorial Park, 2925 U.S. 117, Dudley, N.C.
Flowers are welcome and memorials can be made to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro, N.C., 27534.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on March 17, 2015 1:49 PM