In Memoriam

Joseph James Hood Sr., 76

Joseph James Hood, Sr., took his final breath in Chiloquin, Ore., on September 8, 2024, with his loved ones at his side.

Joseph James “Snop” Hood Sr. was a full-blooded Klamath Indian born in Klamath Falls, Ore., on June 9, 1948. He was raised by his grandmother Claudia Weiser in Chiloquin until she passed away when he was nearly 7 years old, at which point the Rentz family fostered him. Joseph was in second grade when the new Chiloquin Elementary School was built; before he passed away, he shared fond memories of himself and his classmates planting the grass there. Chiloquin High School was where Joseph fell in love with his sweetheart, Barbara Samson. Joseph and Barbara married shortly after high school and later welcomed daughter Yvonne and son Joseph Jr into their lives. After high school, Joseph moved to southern California, where he and Barbara built a beautiful life together. Joseph worked in refrigeration for large-scale facilities for many years until he had a stroke in 2006, ultimately leading to his early retirement. He spent the majority of his life in California until 2020 when he returned to Oregon to be closer to his remaining family. Joseph had another love that he held dearly throughout his life: guitar. He taught himself how to play independently when he was young, then later took lessons. Some of his favorite memories were of his Chi-Town days, especially of him and his “buddies getting together to play music. It didn’t matter whose house it was or who was there; as soon as people heard music, they came.” In July 2023, Joseph laid his youngest grandson, Ivan Allen Hood, to rest. From then on, he spent countless hours visiting with family, reminiscing with friends, and listening to music loudly.