Kenneth Hood

Kenneth Hood, 87, of Beaumont, died Friday, November 1, 2024. He was born on July 13, 1937, in Vanderbuilt, to Lillie Buesing and Archie Lee Hood.

Kenneth grew up in a family of lifetime plumbers. He became a plumber’s helper at the age of 23. In 1964, he opened his own business, Cameo Plumbing Company, and became a master plumber at 27 years old. With the help of his two sons, Brad and Scott, he plumbed thousands of homes in the Beaumont area and worked with just about every home builder. He continued his dedicated profession of plumbing for the rest of his life.

Adventure was Kenneth’s middle name. He loved racing motorcycles and even had his children racing mini bikes during intermission breaks. Skiing trips to Colorado, with his three older children, were always a hoot. He would load up his worn-out camper, and it would break down before leaving town. After finally reaching their destination, skiing down the mountain was always an adventure. When his children couldn’t find him they would look in the woods and usually find him wrapped around a tree.

He developed a passion for shooting pool and joined a competitive pool league.  He was a part of a talented team that had the honor of competing in the national championships in Las Vegas many years, against other teams across the nation.

Kenneth loved drinking Big Red and later moved on to drinking Dr. Pepper because he figured if it had the word “doctor” on it, it had to be good for you. He always loved eating ice cream and would make homemade ice cream and cut up fresh peaches inside. The peaches would freeze making it impossible to eat, but that was his favorite treat.

Kenneth married Barbara Richard on April 14, 1990 and together they raised Aaron and Alec. Being the father of boys at an older age made it harder to keep up, but Kenneth enjoyed a house full of fun and noise – not just from raising boys but also from a talking parrot that could imitate Kenneth’s voice. His son Aaron would follow him around the house as a little boy eager to help his daddy. Kenneth enjoyed building trains with his son Alec.

He also enjoyed going to church on Sunday mornings with his family later in his life. Barbara would come down the stairs at 5 o’clock in the morning to find Kenneth sitting in his chair, dressed in his church clothes, ready to go.

He raised just about every type animal that existed over the span of his life.  He raised cats, dogs, monkeys, rabbits, Shetland pony, raccoons, deer, horses, cows, cougars, black panther, tigers, emu’s, lions, parrots and parakeets, mules, and more. He loved hunting and fishing. He would even make his kids go to the deer stand with him to teach them to hunt, even if they didn’t like to hunt. Being still in that stand for hours was not a fun thing to do as a child.

As you can see, Kenneth led a full life and a life full of adventure. His legacy lives on through the life of his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Hood; children, Brad Hood of Bevil Oaks; Debbie Sundgren and her husband, Carl, of China; Scott Hood and his wife, Sharon, of Lumberton; and Alec Hood of Beaumont; grandchildren, Courtney Boullion and her husband, Brad; Candice Fitzgerald and her husband, Matt; Colby Sundgren; Tiffany Dodge and her husband, Derek; and Brandon Hood and his wife, Maritza; great-grandchildren, Paislee, Riley, Emmett, Cate, Makenna, Carter, Reese, Cayden, Hunter, Landon, and Ana Sophia; brother, Archie Lee Hood and his wife, Janet; stepbrother, Willie Gene Warren; and numerous friends and loved ones through the years.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents; son, Aaron Lee Hood; brother, Bobby Hood; stepsister, Mary “Sissy” Briggs; and daughter-in-law, Johnny Hood.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Meadows Church of Christ, Hurricane Helene Fund, P.O. Box 5126 Beaumont, Texas 77726.

A gathering of Mr. Hood’s family and friends will begin 10:00 a.m., with his funeral service at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont. Serving as pallbearers will be Colby Sundgren, Brandon Hood, Derek Dodge, Brad Boullion, Archie Hood, Jr., and Brandon Wilks.