R. Maurice Hood MD

Raleigh Maurice Hood, MD, 89, went to Heaven, January 4, 2014. He was born in Lubbock, Texas, on July 25, 1924 to W.A. Mose and Vinita Hood. Maurice will be remembered most for his service to others and for his Christian example. Maurice joined the United States Navy in 1941, which provided him the opportunity to study medicine. He married Arminta (Jonnie) Johnson on June 9, 1946, and the newlyweds immediately moved to San Diego, Calif., where he began a career as a doctor in the Navy. Maurice and Jonnie moved to Austin, Texas, in 1958 where he set up his medical practice. As a noted physician, he performed the first open heart surgery in Austin and saved countless lives. He later taught at both Texas Tech School of Medicine and New York University School of Medicine. As a child, Maurice enjoyed riding fire trucks with his dad, a fireman, in Lubbock. He never outgrew his love for working alongside firefighters. The fire radio in the house and car, and a bubble light on the car were part of his life. He became an instructor for the Austin Fire Department and the Lubbock Fire Department. For his dedication and service, Maurice was named as an honorary Fire Chief for both cities departments. The most important part of Dr. Hood’s life began in 1972 when he made his first trip to Aba, Nigeria, as a medical missionary. From then, until his death his heart remained in Africa. Maurice traveled to Nigeria fourteen times between 1972 and 1982, taking many young doctors and nurses with him to share his knowledge and his faith. At the Nigerian Christian Hospital, Dr. Hood worked alongside men and women he respected as heroes of faith. Through this work and his continued support of the ICHF African Christian Hospital Foundation he, his wife, and his colleagues helped save lives and introduced countless people to Jesus Christ. Maurice is survived by four children and their spouses: Bill and Linda Hood of Round Rock; David and Marilynn Hood, of College Station; Laurie and Danny Davis, of Dickens; and Kathy and Dean Clement, of Round Rock. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to ICHF African Christian Hospital Foundation or Sunset International Bible Foundation. A visitation will be held at Highland Village Church of Christ in Austin on Monday, January 6th at 6:00- 8:00. The funeral will be held on 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 8th at Sanders Funeral Home.

R. Maurice Hood MD

July 25, 1924 - January 4, 2014