Charles Clifford Hood's Obituary
Charles Clifford Hood (Cliff), 87, of Lakeland, beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather, passed into the loving arms of his Lord Jesus Christ on Wednesday, February 21, 2023.
Cliff was born on July 28, 1936, in Augusta, GA to the late Margaret Crumpler and Charlie Alton Hood. When Cliff was around ten years old, the Hood family moved to Apopka, FL. Cliff had an amazing childhood, especially enjoying boating, fishing, skiing, and camping on the St. Johns River. Cliff also played basketball in high school and was the captain of the Apopka Blue Darters Basketball team, who were runners up in the State Championship his senior year. While in high school, Cliff met and courted the love of his life, Shirley Rae Smith of Orlando. Cliff attended the University of Florida, where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity and majored in Business Administration. After dating for five years, Cliff and Shirley were married on December 30, 1957, and together embarked on a life of adventure. Upon graduation from UF in June of 1958, Cliff enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Kinross (which became Kincheloe) Air Force Base in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan, where he served for four years.
While in Sault Ste. Marie, the young Hood family welcomed the addition of sons John Alton and Tracy Alan. Upon Cliff’s discharge from the Air Force in 1962, the family moved back to Florida, first to Deland, then to Lakeland, where Cliff worked in accounting for various local firms ranging from banks, to manufacturers, to retailers. Despite many offers to relocate to work at larger, more prestigious firms, Cliff chose to stay in Lakeland to raise his family and contribute to the community. His family especially appreciated his involvement in the annual Kiwanis Pancake breakfast at Joker Marchant field.
Cliff lived 62 happy years in Lakeland, where he and Shirley made many lifelong friends. He and Shirley were active members at Gibsonia Baptist Church, then First Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School classes and serving in various roles their church. Over the years, they had groups to play Bridge, Bunco, Farkle and virtually anything that allowed talking and playing at the same time. The self-proclaimed “Dirty Dozen” was an especially close group of twelve couples, whose passions were food and fellowship, otherwise known as eating and talking!
Cliff loved to camp and hike, taking his family on many adventures to the National Parks starting out in a Volkswagen camper van, and graduating to a pop-up camper. Later, he and Shirley upgraded to different forms of recreational vehicles, traveling all over the country, but finally settling at the Sundowner RV Park in Hayesville, NC. For many years, Cliff and Shirley were fortunate to spend their summers in Hayesville, where they attended McConnell Baptist Church in Hiawassee, GA and made many close friends. Cliff was happiest when fishing, biking, or any other activity where he was spending time with his family and friends.
Cliff is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley; his dear sister, Phyllis Hood of Orlando, FL; his son, Tracy (Barbara) Hood of Tampa, FL; and his granddaughters Katie and Ellie. He was predeceased by his son, John Hood, and his brothers Billy Hood and Phil Hood.
A private family interment is planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Cliff’s memory to McConnell Baptist Church, PO Box 235, Hiawassee, GA .
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