John LaVern Hood II

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of John LaVern Hood II, 62, of Pendleton from a heart condition.  John’s family is heartbroken and devastated at this unexpected loss.

He is survived by his mother Marna Hood (Tolzman), wife Dolly Hood (McCumber), sister and brother-in-law Susan and David Cook, sister Jan Hood, and brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Dawna Hood, as well as many nieces and nephews and an abundance of friends.

John was born in Fort Knox, KY, to parents John and Marna in 1959. He was born into an Army family which travelled the world, and he wouldn’t have had it any other way. He graduated from Aberdeen High School in Aberdeen, MD in 1977 and went straight into the Army where he served in the artillery for four years, being stationed in Oklahoma and Texas. Upon his discharge, he moved to Pendleton to join his family where he struggled to find the “perfect” job for him, so he experienced many different positions over the years.   

He was an avid drummer and was totally into his professional wrestling! He was also an excellent cook and he liked to say that he was one of the few men who really enjoyed shopping - discount stores were his personal favorite, and he was always eager to show off his great finds.

He met and fell in love with Dolly when John was driving the taxi that Dolly called to take her home from work at the hospital. He told his family after he first met her that he was going to marry her, and he was amazed that she didn’t know how wonderful she was. It was love at first sight for him. He finally won her over and they were married in 2016 in a small ceremony in a chapel in Reno, NV, surrounded by family.

John loved Jesus Christ. He attended and was baptized at the First Christian Church in Pendleton, OR and was a drummer for the church’s praise band for several years when his health allowed. But John’s battle with a heart attack that he had several years ago and his diabetes, which took his leg, would ultimately prove too much for him to overcome. He was a proud, strong man though, so not many saw his struggle.

Anyone who knew John was touched by his kindness and humor. He will be remembered as a giving man with a caring soul who never met a person in need that he didn’t want to help. He will be forever in our hearts, and we know he will be deeply missed by many.

Contributions in memory of John can be made to the Pendleton First Christian Church Memorial Fund.