Gregory Del Hood passed away at his home, surrounded by his children, on Tuesday, December 28th due to complications from lung cancer.
Greg was born June 27th, 1952 in Elgin, Illinois. He attended Larkin High School in Elgin and graduated in 1970. After graduation, Greg moved west to Montana where he would attend college in Missoula at the University of Montana. While attending college, Greg met the love of his life, Karla, and they were married on August 17, 1975 in Thermopolis, Wyoming. They lived briefly in Wyoming and then returned to Montana were they would make their home for the next thirty-five years.
Throughout the 1980’s and early 90’s, Greg’s passion for the outdoors, coupled with his talent for writing, would inspire his career. Greg worked as a freelance writer and scripted the narration for numerous wildlife documentaries aired on the television program NOVA. Greg’s writing accomplishments included the narration for films on elk, bears, black footed ferrets, the Yellowstone fires of 1988, and the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone.
Although he never lost his passion for writing, Greg’s career shifted towards helping the people of the community he called home for nearly thirty years. In 1996 Greg became the director of Helena Food Share and was instrumental in the construction of their current building. He then went on to work for the Helena Housing Authority and served as the Executive Director of Eagle Mount Helena.
Though Greg was always passionate about his career, his true love was for his family and the great state of Montana. Greg’s best days were spent camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting with his family. Greg and Karla loved to take road trips, and even up to his last few days, he was telling stories about the places they had gone. Greg’s most recent joy came from the birth of his first grandchild, Avery Josephine Hood. Greg loved being a grandfather and spent every moment he could visiting Avery and her parents.
Greg will be dearly missed by his children, Abigail of Helena and Tucker (Amy) of Denver, Colorado, as well as his granddaughter, Avery. Greg is also survived by his mother, Ruth Hood, and sister Mariellen Hood of Huntley, Illinois; sisters Lorraine Martin (Mike) of Forest Lake, Minnesota, and Della Schmalz (Guy) of Crystal Lake, Illinois, and numerous nieces and nephews. Greg was preceded in death by his wife, Karla (2010), and father, Delbert Hood (2005).
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Monday, January 3rd at 11:00 am with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, Greg and his family ask that donations be made in his name to Eagle Mount Helena, 3400 Centennial, Helena, MT 59601.
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Sharon Southern says
My condolences to Abby and Tucker and the rest of Greg’s family. Greg was a fantastic person and I will truely miss him. We had some wonderful conversations over coffee early in the morning at HHA. My thoughts and prayers goes out to Greg’s family.
Guinevere Young says
You Hoods are in our prayers.
Love,
Guinevere & James Young
Michelle Bernal Berg says
Abby and Tucker, I’m not sure if you remember me as you were quite young, but I was your neighbor for several years. I remember both of your parents fondly. They were wonderful, kind people and I learned so much from them. My deepest condolences to you both.
Teresa Geremia-Chart says
Greg was a temendous asset to the Helena Community through his work at Food Share. He also was a leader and mentor to the rest of us in the nonprofit sector. He changed lives in a positive way and though he will be dearly missed, he has left a meaningful legacy.
Josh LaFromboise says
My condolences to Abby and Tucker,
Your dad was a fantastic man and very special friend who I admired a lot. The last couple years he helped me in many ways, both at the office and personally. He always reminded me of the simple pleasures in life. I will miss him greatly
Therese Tucker says
My deepest condolences and sympathies. Although I knew Greg for only a short time, I am grateful to have known him. He was such a positive, light-hearted, supportive person, & always with a smile. What an incredible person.
Linda Vaughey says
I am a commissioner of the Helena Housing Authority, and it was in this arena that I first met Greg. He was a great talent, working with the residents of M.E.Anderson. He was dedicated to his wife and life’s partner as well as to the work he had chosen to do. It was our good fortune to have him on staff, and he has been greatly missed since he retired due to his illness. A father and grandfather is irreplaceable. I hope you find some measure of comfort knowing that Greg’s “fans” were made up of a whole lot of people who knew him, respected him, and recognized the fine human being he was. Bless you all.
Anita Varone says
Greg was one of the finest men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He lived for his family, his passion for Montana, and his love of humanity. The Helena Housing Authority sorely misses him and his kind, intelligent and generous nature. Greg leaves a hole in Helena’s community that can never be filled. My very sincere condolences to his family.