Grant Hood

Joseph “Grant” Hood, age 78, of West Bloomfield, passed away on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Carolyn; his children: Karen (Brian) Zais, and Scott (Holly) Hood; his grandchildren: David Hood, Brendan Hood, Sydney Zais, and Jordan Zais; and his grand-dog, Josie.

Grant was born January 19, 1943, in Norfolk, Virginia, the son of Joseph Grant, Sr. and Betty (Nancy Elizabeth Burgess) Hood. He and Carolyn Smith were neighbors in Petoskey, Michigan, from the age of three; over the years, they developed a loving relationship and eventually were married on December 18, 1965. They shared fifty-five wonderful years together. Grant studied education at Northern Michigan University and received his bachelor’s degree in 1966. He then went on to teach English at Waterford Kettering High School for twenty-nine years, retiring in 1994. During his time as a teacher, Grant began working as a part-time park ranger at Dodge #4 State Park in Waterford during his summer breaks; after he retired from teaching, he worked as a park ranger full-time until his complete retirement in 2005.

Grant was a model train enthusiast and an avid traveler; he held fond memories of the many trips he took with his wife and children over the years. Grant was loved by many pets over his years, including several grand-pets and especially his own dog, Corky. From cuddles to long walks, he took excellent care of them all. Grant was a devoted and loving husband to Carolyn, always seeing to her needs before anything else. He also spent a great deal of his free time outdoors working in the yard. However, the light of Grant’s life was his grandchildren: two sets of twins the same age. Very early on, while meeting the needs of four infants, everyone gave Grant the nickname “Super Grandpa”—a title he lived up to every day of the last 20 years. He was always finding new ways to be involved in the lives of the grandkids, be it by attending school events (in both MI and MN!) and cheering them on with a grin on his face and camera in hand, or sitting quietly with them and listening intently to the details of their days. Grant was the type of person who was always giving; he was eager to lend a helping hand to anyone, and his love for his family and his kind soul were apparent to everyone. He was a wonderful man who will be missed by many.

Grant was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Betty.

In accordance with Grant’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at the Union Lake Chapel of the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home, 1233 Union Lake Road, White Lake, Michigan 48386. Grant’s family will receive friends and family at the funeral home on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm, and again on Thursday from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am. At about 7:00pm during the Wednesday visitation, anyone who wants to share a short story of Grant will be invited to do so. The Thursday service will be live-streamed for anyone who is unable to make it in person. Please follow pandemic protocol and stay home if you are feeling at all ill and wear a mask if you haven’t been vaccinated. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may consider memorial contributions to the Livingston Western Oakland Meals on Wheels.