Richard "Ricky" Craig Hood

October 30, 1955 – July 25, 2025

Ricky passed away on July 25, 2025, surrounded by the family who loved him deeply. Born on October 30, 1955, Ricky lived a life full of laughter, fierce loyalty, and big love.

Ricky was a man who loved wholeheartedly and made everyone feel like family. Whether you knew him as “Daddy,” “Grandpa Ricky,” “Uncle Ricky,” or simply a friend, you knew his infectious smile, his sense of humor, and his famous goofy faces in photos. He never met a game night he didn’t dominate, a rack of ribs he couldn’t master, or a NASCAR race he didn’t have an opinion about.

He spent his working years in cable construction, roofing, and later trucking, before retiring to enjoy the things he loved most—motorcycles, golfing, coin collecting, grilling, and time with his family. Known to “speculate” when he drew an Ace during a game of Cadillac and proud of being the game night champ, Ricky enjoyed the thrill of competition, but it was the laughter and connection that mattered most to him.

Ricky is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, DiAnna Brown Hood; daughters Jessica Hood Wilson and Jennifer Hood Hair (Bill); and his grandchildren who adored their “Grandpa Ricky”: Austin Hair, Logan Hair, Shelby Wilson, and Gavin Wilson.

He is also survived by his siblings: Gary Hood (Ruth), David Hood (Pam), Vicki Hood Collins, and Mark Hood (Michelle); and his many nieces and nephews who loved their “Uncle Ricky” dearly: Haley Michell (Mark), Matthew Hood, Kellie Drach (Shane), Crystal Hood, Susan Crowe (Jeremy), Laura Hood (Chris), Alex Hood, Morgan Callaway (Cody), Tyler Waitt (Olivia), Devyn Waitt, Alice Farrer, Miranda McClelland (Jameson), and McKenzie Hirthe (Matthew). Numerous great-nieces and nephews will miss him beyond words.

Ricky was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred Methvin Hood and Raford “Buddy” Hood, in-laws, Sylvia and Ray Brown, and brothers-in-law, Don Waitt and Stephen Farrer.

He is also lovingly remembered by his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Debbie Waitt, Marsha Farrer, and Terry Brown (Joyce), and countless friends who all shared in his life and memories.

Pallbearers will be Austin Hair, Logan Hair, and Gavin Wilson, Bill Hair, Matthew Hood, Mark Michell, Tyler Waitt, and Shane Drach.

We will carry his stories, his jokes, and his fierce love with us—always. There’s no way to measure a life like Ricky’s, only to be grateful we were part of it.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 5:00-7:00PM at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home in Haughton, LA. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 2:00PM at the same location, with burial to follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park.

“In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation in honor of Ricky Hood. This devastating and incurable disease has also taken the lives of many of his loved ones and continues to affect multiple generations of his family due to its genetic nature. Your support helps fund critical research, raises awareness, and brings hope for a future cure.”

https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/