Harold Gene Hood

Obituary Harold Gene Hood went to be with his Savior on October 28, 2021 at the age of 87. He passed away at his home in Colorado Springs, surrounded by loving family. Harold was born April 3, 1934 in Belleville, Illinois to Ira and Bertha Hood. He grew up in Coulterville, Illinois and graduated from Coulterville High School in 1952. Following high school, he worked in a factory in St. Louis, Missouri until God opened the door for him to attend Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas. While at Sterling he played basketball and baseball, but more importantly he grew in his Christian faith. He made many lifelong friends and met his future wife, Pat. He graduated from Sterling College in 1958 with a degree in Elementary Education. While at Sterling, Harold felt God calling him to be a missionary in Pakistan. For three years, from 1958-1961, he taught Bible classes at CTI High School in Sialkot, Pakistan, and traveled around the country coaching and playing basketball with the schools basketball team. He was credited with introducing the jump shot to Pakistani basketball. After proposing marriage in a letter and waiting six months for the mail service to deliver a reply, Harold returned to the United States only a couple weeks before his wedding. Though they hadnt spoken or seen each other in three years, Harold was married to Patricia Ann Offerle on June 10, 1961 in Offerle, Kansas. This was the beginning of a loving, godly marriage that would inspire and bless countless people throughout the next 60 years. Harolds teaching career would eventually span more than fifty years. He taught in Buhler, Kansas and Wheaton, Illinois before moving to Ellinwood, Kansas. In 1968, Harold received his Master of Science degree from Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia. Harold taught 5th grade at Ellinwood Grade School for 32 years, making an impact on hundreds of children in his time there. After retiring from Ellinwood, Harold became principal of Central Kansas Christian School in Great Bend, Kansas and served in that role for ten years. After retirement from his roles in education, Harold and Pat served together as short term missionaries in Brazil on three different occasions, the longest being a 4 month stay. They taught at International School of Carpena in Carpena, Brazil and ministered in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil. In 2012, Harold and Pat moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado where they made many new friends. They loved to travel internationally, doing mission work and visiting friends. Harolds purpose in life was to encourage and teach people of all ages. He was an incredibly kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather, and he will always be remembered for his humility, generosity, wisdom, and godly advice. Harold loved his family and grandchildren and treasured each moment he had with them. But most importantly, he loved Jesus with all his heart. Harolds greatest desire was to serve his Savior; he continually encouraged others to place their hope and faith in Christ alone. Harold is survived by Pat, his loving wife of 60 years; four children, Mike (Amy) Hood of White Oak, TX, Doug (Jan) Hood of Raymore, MO, Becky (Shawn) Winters of Victoria, MN, and Brian (Sharon) Hood of Shady Shores, TX. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and Trang Canavan and Andrea West, who were like daughters to Harold. A memorial service, open to the public, is scheduled for November 22, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., at Woodmen Heights Church, 8292 Woodmen Valley View, Colorado Springs, CO 80922. Memorials are suggested to Caring for the Heart-Restoration Ministries, a Christian counseling ministry of Doug Hood, PO Box 1724, Raymore, MO 64083 or caringfortheheartkansascity.com. Services Memorial Service Monday November 22, 2021 10:00 AM Woodmen Heights Church (Woodmen Valley View, Colorado Springs)