Richard E. "Dick" Hood, 82, of Franklin, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2026 at home with his family by his side.

He was born on July 25, 1943 in Sharon to the late Harriette Douglas and Lester Hood.

Dick was a graduate of Cranberry High School.

Shortly after graduation, Dick enlisted in the United States Navy. He was proud to serve his country aboard aircraft carrier, USS Forrestal. He was honorably discharged just a few years before an accidental fire and explosion happened on board in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1967.

Dick shared with his family and friends that he had been on board the USS Forrestal the same time John McCain, who would later become the Arizona senator, was a U.S. Navy lieutenant commander. Dick penned, "In 1964, I stood beside John McCain's Airplane and watched him climb out of the cockpit. At that time, he was just another ordinary officer. Who Knew!".

After his time in the service, Dick's hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, bowling, and watching the Steelers and Pirates teams play. He especially loved his fishing trips to Canada, New York, and Lake Erie.

Dick loved working on old cars and was an avid collector of diecast muscle cars. Out of all of the vehicles, he said that his favorite one he had worked on was a '71 Challenger.

He noted that some of his best friends were Gary Wood, Bub Hadden, and the late Jimmy Hriscina.

Dick is survived by his daughter, Lorinda Hood and her significant other Chad Clark, of Franklin, step-son Charles Taylor and his wife Brigitte, of Polk, granddaughter Alexis Baker and great grandson Declan Zeigler, both of Franklin. Also left to remember Dick are six step grandchildren: Travis Taylor and his fiancée Katelin Riley, Shayna Krizon and her husband Timothy, Tierney Gonsalves and her husband Lou, Emily Mullen and her husband John, Paige Gerwick and her husband Tyler, and Brandon Taylor.

Additionally surviving is half-sister Barbara Peterson and her husband Edward, of Espyville, half-brother Art Hood, of Cranberry, and half-sister Lorelie Miller Graham, of Seneca.

He was preceded in death by step-mother Geraldine Hood, granddaughter Ashli Hovis, step-son Douglas Taylor, and three siblings, Beverly Brown, Donald Hood, and Joanne Hood.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 312 W. Park St., Franklin where family and friends will be received from 1:00 - 3:00 PM and 5:00 - 7:00 PM Monday.

The V.E.T.S. Honor Guard will render military honors following the visitation at 7:00 PM in the funeral home chapel.

Interment will take place at Lamey Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in Dick's name to the Collins House 338 Parker Ave, Franklin, PA 16323.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.huffguthrie.com.