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Obituary for SGM James Lewis Hood USA (Ret.)
MADISON - Retired Sergeant Major, James Lewis Hood, age 87 passed peacefully on October 14, 2021. Jim is survived by a daughter, Linda Kay Hood (Nashville) and daughter, Lisa Carol Poe, son-in-law, John Poe and Grandson, Hunter Poe, (Madison), grandson, Austin Brunt (Pelahatchie), 1 Brother, John Austin Hood, Jr, (Madison) and 1 sister, Marion McClintock (Terry). Pre-deceased by his wife of 33 years, Wilma Kate Hood, sister, Sherry Suggs, (Hernado) brother, Bobby Joe Hood (Belzoni), Son, Stacy Brunt (Jackson) and parents John Austin Hood, Sr & Lucille Elizabeth Hood (Belzoni). He was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Madison. Funeral Services will be held at Sebrell Funeral Home at 3:00 with visitation beginning at 2:00 and Grave side service will be held at Lakewood Memorial following the funeral service. Donations may be given to: Wounded Warriors or Disable Veterans Home.
Jim attended Gooden Lake Elementary School and Belzoni Jr and High school. After graduation, he served in the US Military for 25 years and was with Special Forces. His assignments include: Army Rangers, Green Beret and 101st Airborne. Jim attended as many advanced schools as possible: Leadership, Instructor and Special Warfare School, Marine Corp, ID/School, and Military Intelligence, Drill Instructor Schools 1, 2 and 3. He served with distinction in Korea and Vietnam where he was the advisor to Battalion of Rangers and was the Vietnam Translator Liaison.
After his Tour of Duty, Jim was assigned as the Senior Drill Instructor at Fort Jackson, SC. The discipline and patriotism he learned while protecting the USA never left him, as friends and family will attest. At time, he felt like a permanent student and wondered where else could you be in class A uniforms with spit shine shoes, sitting on your behind in a cool air conditioning around you and LEARN… and get PAID for it. He was an avid reader and constantly searched for knowledge. Jim said, “pick up a book and blow the dust off the cover and you will learn, turn the page and you will learn more. We don’t have a democracy without knowledge. We need to honor our soldiers – without their sacrifice you would not be able to have FREEDOM of Speech, Religion or anything FREEDOMS people take for granted.
Jim Hood’s motto was: “The most valuable results of education is the ability to make yourself do those things that should be done, WHEN they should be done , whether you like it or not”. (Refer to the Leadership Guide)
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