Riley Marion Hood

Riley Hood, 89, entered into rest on Sunday, January 15, 2023. Riley was born on April 2, 1933. He was a man who truly lived the American dream as Turkish immigrants living in Sumter, SC. Riley was the son of Marion and Dora Hood and the oldest of 9 children. As a young man, he loved baseball. He played in the SALY League and was drafted by the Chicago White Sox, but due to family obligation, was not able to follow that dream. After four years of serving his country in the US Air Force, he worked as a parts clerk for Charlotte Aircraft. At that time, he met and married Mary Poteat from Gastonia, NC. Their young family grew to four with the birth of his children John and Karen. Being transferred to the California location of Charlotte Aircraft, he soon started speculating into the aircraft parts business himself. This is how Valley Electronics started. He then moved back to the east coast to continue his business and be close to his and Mary’s families. Riley started in Columbia, SC until he saw the prospects of the C-130 aircraft stations at Robins Air Force Base. He then relocated to Middle Georgia in 1969 where he lived out the rest of his days, growing his business and raising his family. Which, by any measure, are both very successful; this is his legacy.

Riley’s memory will forever be treasured by his children, John Riley Hood (Lila), and Karen Lynn Compton (Jim); his grandson, Jason Riley Hood (Staci); his great-grandchildren, Piper Riley Hood and Hawkins Carter Hood; his sisters, Blanche Ray and Shelby Douglas; and his special friend, Caroline Martin. Along with his parents, Marion & Dora Hood, Riley was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Leona Hood, and his siblings, Harvey Hood, Russell Hood, Burnette Hood, Letha Russ, Gloria Benenhaley, and Mary Benenhaley.

Visitation will be Friday, January 20, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. Afterward, Riley will be laid to rest in Parkway Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Riley Hood to Mount Calvary Lutheran Church at 336 Carl Vinson Pkwy, Warner Robins, GA 31088 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.