HOOD, Daniel Leroy

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ September 24, 2009 Daniel Leroy Hood died quietly at his home in Phoenix Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, just two days shy of his 52nd birthday. Dan born Sept. 21, 1957, in Sterling, Ill., to the late Raymond Bruce and Maxine (McBride) Hood. He graduated from Sycamore High School in Sycamore, Ill., class of 1975. As a young man, he worked as a manager for the McDonald's Corporation as well as the Southland Corporation in Temple, Texas. He later lived a short time in Bryan College Station, Texas. Dan moved to Arizona from Texas in 1987 and worked as a car salesman for various auto dealers as well as various road barricade companies. For the past several years, Dan worked as a road striper for Pavement Marking Inc. based out of Tempe. With his work, Dan was able to travel throughout the entire state and really grew to appreciate the beauty in Arizona. Dan truly was young at heart and loved anything that had to do with railroads, even owning an extensive collection of trains. He was a quiet man, yet he was a caring neighbor. Frequently he could be found mowing his neighbors' lawns, "just because." Dan is survived by his sister, Debbie Ebright of Grandview, Miss.; three brothers, David Freeman, Darrell (Chris) Freeman of Longmont, Colo., and Dana (Heidi) Hood of Fort Collins, Colo.; and his nieces and nephews. Dan was preceded in death by his mother, Maxine Hood in 1973; father Raymond Hood in 1991; and sister Donna Smith in 1998. A public memorial service will be held 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, at Wyman's Chapel, 115 S. Country Club Drive in Mesa. His family has suggested memorial contributions in his name to the Phoenix Rescue Mission or American Cancer Society. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or to sign an online guestbook, visit www.owenslivingstonmortuary.com.