Richard Clay Hood, 89, of Boone, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012, at the Abernathy Laurels in Newton.

He was born on Jan. 21, 1923, in Plateau, to the late Charles A. and Rebecca Maude Clay Hood. He was a WWII veteran having served in the Intelligence Department of a B-24 Group in the 15th Air Force in Italy. After the war he joined Sears Roebuck, where he worked for 33 years, retiring in 1980 to the mountains that he loved. He was a member of the Deerfield United Methodist Church in Boone.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Louise Beatty Hood; children, Dr. Robert L. Hood and wife, Carol Ann, of Ocala, Fla., Rachel Hood of Mebane, Timothy L. Hood and wife, Elaine, of Charlotte; brothers, Calvin Hood of Zebulon, Dr. Walter Hood and wife, Liz, of Salisbury; grandchildren, Tristan and Andrew Hood, Timmy and David Hood; step-granddaughter, Dawn Perry; great-grandson, Nathainel Hood; and step-great-granddaughter, Savannah Perry.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Evelyn Lemmons officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rehobeth United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Deerfield Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1337, Boone, N.C. 28607, and/or Rehobeth United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 356, Terrell, N.C. 28682.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the Hood family. Condolences may be made to the family at http://www.cavin-cook.com.