Gene Graham Hood

Gene Graham Hood, 73, husband of Brenda Hood, died on January 18th at home in Beaufort, SC. He had recently retired as Chief Public Defender for the 14th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina.

Born in Kingstree, SC, Gene attended schools in Charleston and Berkeley County ' graduating in 1962 from St. Stephens High School. After completing a year at Wingate College, he was drafted and sent to Korea for two years. He returned home to resume his studies at the University of South Carolina ' and was also welcomed into the brotherhood of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Following Brenda's graduation from Columbia College, she taught high school English and German while he went on to complete his undergraduate degree and then entered law school at USC.

After passing the bar in 1973, Brenda convinced Gene to join the newly created Army Judge Advocates (JAG) Corps because they could choose their first assignment (almost) anywhere in the world. They chose Germany because it offered him valuable courtroom experience and Brenda total language immersion to polish her German. Gene's original intent to just serve one 3-year tour with the Army
soon dissipated, however. He and Brenda were enjoying the unique opportunity to live abroad and travel, so he requested a two-year extension. Things snowballed after that and he decided to make a career of the military law.

During his 20 years in the Army, Gene, Brenda and their two children lived and traveled throughout Europe, Asia, North Africa, Central America, and the United States. During that time Gene worked as a prosecutor, defense attorney, military judge, and in numerous other specialty legal areas including International, Administrative, and Contract Law. He found the most satisfying and rewarding work, however, as a defense counsel.

The plan was to return home to Charleston after retiring, but a chance visit to Beaufort, presented an opportunity to work in public defense for the newly formed Beaufort County Public Defender Corporation. Gene readily accepted. After a year, he became the Chief Public Defender for the Corporation.

Sixteen years later, in 2008, Gene was appointed to serve as the first Chief Public Defender for the 14th Judicial Circuit, the largest circuit in South Carolina -- comprising Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties. He retired on Sept 30, 2016, after having spent almost 45 years in public service.

Gene was preceded in death by his mother Patricia Graham Gourdin, father Eugene S. Hood, and step-mother, Carolyn Hood.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Brenda Hooker Hood and son, G. Heath Hood of Beaufort; daughter, Allyson H. Wood (Denny) and three grandchildren ' Taylor, Ty, and Trace Wood of Lake Oconee, GA; his brother, Harry Hood (Marty) of Givans, SC; his sister Ann G. Babich (Gene) of Bonneau, SC; brother, Johnny Gourdin (Carol) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; mother in-law, Margaret Gourdin of Pineville, SC; sisters Terri H. Keller (Randy); Tammy H. Walters (Jeff); Toni H. Moore (David); and brother Mike Hinson (Sheila) -' all of Hanahan, SC; and scores of adoring nieces and nephews.

He will be sorely missed by his family, neighbors, golfing buddies, JAG family, Sigma Chi brothers, the14th Circuit Public Defense offices, and his couch companion and resident-feline, Winston.

Family and friends are invited to join in a Celebration of Gene's Life from 10:30 am ' 12:45 pm Friday, January 26, 2018, in the Social Hall of First Presbyterian Church on the corner of Church and North Streets, followed by services at 1:00 pm next door in the Parish Church of St Helena Episcopal. The Funeral Procession will leave the church at 1:45 enroute to the Beaufort National Cemetery for a military burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense, PO Box 11433, Columbia, SC 29211.