John "Kelley" Hood

John Kelley Hood, 61, passed away suddenly from a major heart attack on Thursday, January 4, 2018, while working at Cretin-Derham Hall.

He was born in Rockford, IL on August 4, 1956, the son of Kenneth and Jan (Kelley) Hood, where he lived until his junior year. Kelley graduated in 1974 from Belmond High School in Belmond, IA, where he excelled in many sports, specifically the boys’ basketball team that went to the State Tournament. He then attended Waldorf College in Forest City, IA and Northwestern College in Orange City, IA where he graduated in 1978 with his degree in English and Physical Education. Kelley earned his master’s degree at Marian University in Fond du Lac, WI.

Kelley worked as a high school English teacher in Iowa at Graettinger Community Schools, Mallard Community Schools, and Prairie Valley of Gowrie. He was a successful coach of many sports, including leading the Mallard softball team and the Prairie Valley softball team to the State Tournament. He served as an Activities Director at ADM Schools in Adel, IA, Neenah High School in Neenah, WI, Millard North High School in Omaha, NE, Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, IA, and finally as an Assistant Athletic Director at Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, MN. He was a proud supporter of Young Life and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and served alongside many colleagues for the High School Athletic Unions in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Nebraska.

On June 19, 1982, Kelley was united in marriage to Colleen Schmidt in Holland, IA at Colfax Center Presbyterian Church. On September 22, 1986 they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Kristen Kelleen (Hood) Lindstedt. He became a father-in-law to Jordan Lindstedt in 2009, and he was honored to become a grandfather to Judah Kelley Lindstedt in 2013 and Joy Elizabeth Lindstedt in 2014.

Kelley was a dedicated family man, who delighted in time with Colleen, Kristen, Jordan, Judah, and Joy. He was a rock and support for Colleen for many decades, and he was an unwavering, wise father and a doting grandfather. Kelley was a well-respected member of each community he served in. He was referred to as a moral compass, a kind and compassionate motivator and mentor, and his big smile and sense of humor will be greatly missed. He was passionate about his job, and driven by his faith as he worked to impact the lives of countless kids throughout the years. Kelley was humble, encouraging, loyal, and always strived to work with integrity and to do the right thing. If you ever met him, you knew he was the ultimate Packer fan and loved his Iowa Hawkeyes. Ultimately, his loving legacy will live on in his wife and the rest of his family.

Kelley is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, Colleen (Schmidt) Hood; daughter Kristen (Jordan) Lindstedt and his grandchildren, Judah Kelley and Joy Elizabeth Lindstedt.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Jan Hood.

Visitation will take place at Crossroads Church, 5900 Woodbury Drive, Woodbury, MN 55129 on Thursday, January 11 from 9:30-11a.m. with a service celebrating the life of Kelley at 11a.m. A light luncheon will be served following the service and a private interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights, MN.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending memorials that will be directed to the family and dispersed to charitable organizations that were dear to Kelley’s heart.