James William Hood's Obituary
James (Jim) William Hood, 89, passed peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of June 20, 2022. He was preceded in death by his wife Louise, his son Hugh, his sister Billie Jeane Furr, and his parents Hugh and Roxie Hood.
On July 2, 1932, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Hugh and Roxie Hood welcomed their son James (Jimmy). Jimmy joined his sister, Billie Jeane, and later, brother John completed the family. Jim spent his childhood exploring Hot Springs, including the land that eventually became Lake Ouachita, squirrel hunting with his brother John, fishing, and occasionally getting into mischief. As soon as he was old enough to drive a nail, carry a block, or lug shingles up a ladder, he began assisting his father in the construction business. While in school, he played basketball, trombone in the band, and participated in ROTC. After graduating from Hot Springs High School, Jim served in the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict and became a sergeant. He played trombone in the Marine Corps Band and studied construction with the SEABEES. He participated in testing buildings for military use under extreme conditions, building bridges, seashore bulkheads, and other types of heavy construction.
After serving in the Marines, Jim attended Oklahoma A&M, now known as Oklahoma State University, where he graduated with a degree in construction engineering. For the next several years, he designed and built homes, commercial buildings, apartments complexes, and shopping centers in the Tulsa area. He located sites, procured zoning, and acted as project manager for various businesses, including Ken’s Pizza, one of the earliest Quik Trips, and a number of golf courses, mobile home parks and factories. He taught estimating classes to Tulsa area builders and developers, as well as to students at Tulsa Junior College. With Ainslie Perrault, as the primary investor, Jim purchased, planned, zoned, developed, and managed a 1,250 acre project known as Indian Springs Country Club Estates in Broken Arrow. He spent several years in the Rio Grande Valley, leading all phases of the development and sale of 2,200 home sites, and various commercial sites. Jim designed and built one of the first atomic bomb shelters in Tulsa and designed his own home in Indian Springs with the first heat pump system in the state of Oklahoma. Among his many responsibilities, he served as President of the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce, Director of the Metropolitan Tulsa Home Builders Association, Chairman of the Metropolitan Developers Association, and acted as an expert witness in various construction related litigations. He also served as President of Evans and Mitchell Inc., Executive Vice President of Indian Springs Development Company, and Land Planning Consultant for several development companies in multiple states across the country. Jim finished his career with HUD as their Subdivision and Environmental Officer.
In 1953, Jim met his soon to be wife, Anna Louise Fincher, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Their short courtship blossomed into 68 years of marriage. In 1954, Jim and Louise moved to Oklahoma to start new careers and welcomed four children, Linda, Larry, Joan, and Hugh. After meeting Louise, Jim joined the Methodist church where he sang in the choir and became a charter member of St. Stephen’s Methodist Church in Broken Arrow. Eventually, Jim and Louise joined Boston Avenue Methodist Church, and it became their home church for almost forty years.
As the years passed, seven grandchildren were added to the Hood clan. Damon, Steven, Katy, Scott, Allison, Allen, and Spencer brought joy to Jim’s life. Years of “grandchildren’s week” included activities created by Jim and Louise. Later, five great-grandchildren, Ruby, Carson, Fincher, Ellie, and Ferris, joined the family and were blessed to know their Papa.
The most important part of Jim’s life was family and friends. He was the ideal example of how to love and care for others and never hesitated to lend a helping hand. He was the glue, the problem-solver, the go-to person, the heart mender, and so much more. He is survived by his children, Linda, Larry, and Joan, their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, and great-grandchildren, his brother John and his family, and his nephews, Ed and Jim Furr and their spouses.
In Lieu of Flowers – Donations in care of James W Hood & family
Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, 1301 S Boston Ave, Tulsa, OK 74119
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?