Rufus Milton Hood
May 14, 1915 - September 25, 2007

Rufus Milton Hood, 92, DeLand, died Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at University Center West, DeLand. Mr. Hood was born in Albertville, AL and moved from there to this area in 1956. He was a water system supervisor for the City of Lake Helen for 10 years. He served for over 40 years in the U.S. Navy. He was a Lt. Commander during World War II and the Korean conflict and a veteran of Pearl Harbor. He was well known in the Lake Helen community. He founded the first youth center with donations of construction. He was a handyman that enjoyed morning walks, traveling, watching "Price is Right," spending time with family and helping out his small town. His last wishes were to tell the City Commissioners of Lake Helen, "I ate the map."

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vida Hood. Survivors include his sons. Jack (Brenda) Hood, Madison, AL, Jeff (Darlene) Hood, Raleigh, NC; daughters, Mary (John) Disney, Kenniwick, Washington, Cindy Lou Hood White, Lake Helen; his eight special grandchildren that have Tom Tullies' feet and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to City of Lake Helen Police Chief Keith Chester for the Lake Helen Youth Center, 493 S. Lakeview Dr., Lake Helen, FL 32744. We invite you to sign the Guest Book maintained by the Daytona Beach News Journal.