Ralph C. Hood Jr., age 86 of Waupaca, Wis. passed away on Saturday Sept. 3, 2016 at home with his loving
family by his side.

He was born May 24, 1930 in Bessemer City, NC the son of late Ralph C. Hood Sr., and Virginia (Ratterree) Hood. On Sept. 1, 1956, Ralph married Joan Bell in Marquette, Mich. They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Ralph had an exemplary military career that spanned over 22 years in the United States Air Force, serving in the Korean and Vietnam wars. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich. as a maintenance supervisor from 1970 to 1975.

In May of 1975 Ralph, Joan and their children moved to the Waupaca Area, where he worked for the School District of Waupaca as the building & grounds supervisor, retiring in June of 1992.

He was a member of the VFW Post 1037 in Waupaca, Wis.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife Joan of Waupaca, four children, Jon Hood of Waupaca, and his children
Brandon (Amanda) Hood, and their daughter Claire and Travis Hood of Appleton, Kathy (Barry) Jacowski of Almond and their daughter Nicole, David (Carie) Hood of Green Lake, and Jerry Hood of Waupaca, and Ralph’s best friend Rocky.

He is also survived by his sister Charlotte Cox of Corvallis, Ore., and his brother John (Janet) Hood of Prescott, Ariz. He is further survived by his sisters-in-law, Margaret Bell, Helen Bell and Sharon (Howard) Ellis, all from Marquette, Mich.

He is also survived by nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Ralph enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and attending his son’s sporting events. He was very proud of
the massive garden he planted every spring and summer and he shared it with everyone. He loved spending
countless hours with his granddaughter and grandsons and his best friend Rocky.

Ralph and Joan enjoyed their many trips to Florida during the winter months and their camping outings with
friends during the summer months in Wisconsin. He also loved sitting and watching the many different species of
birds, which he fed on a daily basis.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Bill and Frank, his sister Marquerite Cleek, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Elwin and Ruth (O’Neill) Bell, brothers-in-law Elwin Bell and William Bell.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 4 PM to 6 PM, with Military Honors at 5 PM at Maple Crest Funeral
Home, N2620 Hwy 22, Waupaca, Wis.

Burial will take place at a later date.