Eugene M. Hood departed this earthly life on April 10, 2021, just days short of his 95th birthday. He was the son of Mather Daniel Hood and Frances Adale Moragne Hood. He was born in Florida and spent his early years in both Florida and Alabama. In 1938 he moved to Columbia, attending Hand Junior High and Dreher High School, where he was in the second graduating class behind his sister Dale, who was in the first. His Columbia grandchildren also went to the same Dreher High School before the building was demolished.
Gene studied engineering at the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. Starting as a water boy with the family company, he later became president of Davis Moragne Construction Company, a road contracting business. He built roads all over the state and drove hundreds of miles each day supervising job sites. He often said he could find his way anywhere in the state without a road map. After the sale of the company when he was in his early 50s, he became an antique dealer as his second career. He retired at age 90. During his careers, he was respected for his integrity, knowledge and the quality of his work and merchandise.
Gene was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Frances McDaniel Hood. He is survived by his children, Catherine Hood Kennedy and her husband Richard M. Kennedy, III, M.D., and their children, Clayton H. Kennedy (Erica) and great-granddaughter Myla, Fleming Kennedy Fuller (Mike) and great-grandchildren Camden and Mackenzie, and Andrew E.M. Kennedy; Eugene M. Hood, Jr. and his wife Lisa Theresa Hood and their children, Olivia Frances Hood and Iain Henry Hood; Robin Mather Hood and Richard Davis Hood. He is also survived by his sister, Dale Hood Handschy of Venice, Florida, and his niece, Linda K. Handschy.
Gene served in the United States Army in the last months of World War II and during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Shandon United Methodist Church for over 60 years and served for several years as Cubmaster of their Cub Scout troop. He was formerly a member of Forest Lake Club, the Caprician Club, and the Executive Club. He and Franny enjoyed playing bridge and tennis and traveling to New England and Europe, often with no itinerary other than to see what was in the next town.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. A graveside service in Elmwood Memorial Gardens is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 and will be livestreamed on Dunbar Funeral Home – Devine’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DunbarDevine
Memorials can be made to Shandon UMC, 3407 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205, to support its Senior Ministry.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com
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