Dr. James "Jim" Troy Hood

Dr. James “Jim” Troy Hood, beloved husband, father, grandfather, deacon, professor, and former ULM department head died January 12, 2021, of COVID-19. Jim was born in Springhill, LA and was the youngest son of Lucia and Bynum Hood. He met the love of his life, Frances DeLouche Hood, at LSU and they enjoyed a lifetime together through 61 years of marriage. Jim’s greatest pride and joy was his two daughters Debbie and Stephanie. He loved his family, his church, travel, and teaching.

Jim was the first of his family to attend college and made academics the focus of his distinguished career at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. His 34-year career as Head of the Department of Accounting set a current national record for length of service as head of a collegiate accounting department. Among his accolades, Jim was awarded the Society of Louisiana CPA 1998 Lifetime Achievement award and the Honorary Member designation from the Society of Louisiana CPA, only 9 of which had been awarded since 1911.

Jim had an intense love of travel that he and Frances deeply enjoyed. They traveled to over 50 different countries, enjoying cultures from all over the world. Their travels produced numerous tales including staying in a rain forest treehouse, riding camels in Egypt, and recalling hilarious stories of dinners where Jim, always the gentlemen, maintained a smile as he dined on chicken foot soup in Hong Kong – all told in that rich baritone voice that we all envied.

Jim was a faithful member and deacon at North Monroe Baptist Church. He was a longtime anchor in the choir and offered wisdom, service, and friendship to his Sunday School class, staff members, and senior pastors for many years. He loved Jesus, and he lived a life of unwavering faith, service, and humble dedication to Christ. Jim’s walk with the LORD followed the promises held in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight”.

Jim was preceded to heaven by his wife, Frances. He is survived by daughters Debbie Gardner and Stephanie Baldwin (John), son-in-law Richard Gardner, 8 grandchildren Daniel Lewis (Allison), David Lewis (Megan), Fay Zeigler (Jeffery), Mackenzie Reed (Tyler), Luke Baldwin, Michael James Baldwin, Regan Gardner (Jessica), Matthew Gardner, and 6 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be David Lewis, Daniel Lewis, Luke Baldwin, Michael James Baldwin, Jeffery Zeigler, and Richard Gardner. His longtime friend, Sam Loftis, will serve as his honorary pallbearer.

Visitation will be on Saturday, January 16, 2021, at 12:00PM until service time at North Monroe Baptist Church. A memorial service will be held at North Monroe Baptist Church 2:00PM Saturday with Rev. Warren Eckhardt and Dr. Bill Dye officiating. Interment will follow at Kilpatrick Serenity Gardens under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home Monroe. At the request of the family, masks and social distancing will be mandatory for both visitation and the memorial service.

Memorial gifts can be provided to North Monroe Baptist Church Building Fund.

Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com