Donald L. Hood, 90, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2009, in The Neighborhoods at Quail Creek, in Springfield, Missouri. Don was born on September 11, 1918, in Creston, Iowa, to Fred and Florence Hood. He spent his childhood years in this southern Iowa community before graduating from Creston High School in 1936. He worked with his father in farming for two years before entering a diesel engineering school in California. Following this training, he returned to Creston, Iowa, where he was employed by the Armour Company before entering the military. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from April, 1941, to August, 1945. During his tour he had, in addition to stateside duty, overseas assignments in Ireland, Scotland, North Africa (Algiers, Algeria) and in Italy (Salerno and Naples). He always viewed service to his country as one of the high points in his life and he was always proud to invest in American Legion activities as well as take part in patriotic events. Following his service in World War II, Don returned to southern Iowa and went to work for Iowa Southern Utilities. He spent the rest of his working career (38 years) with Iowa Southern, rising from his initial assignment as apprentice electrician to the District Superintendent and to District Manager for 13 years before his retirement in October, 1983. Don and his wife, Dorothy Jane Connelly, were married on November 25, 1944, and they raised three children in Centerville, Iowa. They enjoyed their retirement and lived in Bella Vista, Arkansas, and Destin, Florida, before spending the last nine years in Springfield, Mo. Don is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jane; and their three children, David and his wife, Sue Conn Hood of Casa Grande, Ariz., Nancy and her husband, Greg Onstot of Springfield, Mo., and Ann and her husband, R.C. Julian of Clinton, Mo.; and grandchildren, Justin Hood, Ryan Hood and Jessica Cook. He is also survived by a younger brother, Lyle Hood of Petaluma, Calif.; along with nieces, nephews and many, many friends. Preceding him in death on December, 2008, was his brother, Dale Hood, of Creston, Iowa. The Hood family wishes to acknowledge the professional care and untiring efforts of the nurses and staff in the Redbud Neighborhood at Quail Creek as well as the doctors, nurses and personal care associates on the Third Floor West wing of Cox South Hospital. The care and comfort provided Mr. Hood was exemplary and greatly appreciated. A memorial service directed by Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home will be held in the pavilion building in Missouri Veterans Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2009, with military honors. The family requests that any memorial contributions be directed to Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, Inc. and sent to this organization at 5201 South Southwood Road, Springfield, MO 65804.