Hon. Richard L. Hood

The Honorable Richard Lonnie Hood, who devoted nearly three decades of his life to the bench in Gadsden County and continued serving the courts long after his retirement, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2026, at the age of 83—just days shy of his eighty-fourth birthday. Born on April 30, 1942, in Homestead, Florida, Richard was raised with a strong sense of discipline, responsibility, and purpose that guided him throughout his life. He attended the Ransom School for Boys in Coral Gables—now Ransom Everglades School—where he began to develop the character and work ethic that would define him. He continued his education at Stetson University, graduating with a degree in Accounting. During his time there, he served as President of Pi Kappa Alpha his senior year, earning the respect of his peers and demonstrating early leadership. He went on to attend Stetson University College of Law, completing one year before answering the call to serve his country. Richard served in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant, stationed in Augusta, Georgia. He later received an early release to return to his legal studies, completing his law degree and being admitted to the Florida Bar in 1971. Following law school, he moved to Quincy, Florida, where he began practicing law with the firm of Gregory, Towles, and Beaty. After several years in private practice, he was appointed County Judge for Gadsden County on January 4, 1977. He later won election to a full term and remained a trusted and consistent presence on the bench, facing little opposition in subsequent elections. Judge Hood served as County Judge from his appointment in 1977 through his retirement on December 31, 2000, and continued for years thereafter as a Senior Judge within Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit. In total, he gave more than 30 years of service to the judiciary and to the people of Gadsden County. He had a clear and unwavering view of what a courtroom should be. He believed the law should apply equally to everyone who entered it, without regard to status or influence. Known for his no-nonsense demeanor, he valued honesty, accountability, and personal responsibility. Those who appeared before him understood that the outcome of their case would depend not on who they knew, but on the facts and the law. In 2000, he reinforced that principle by ending the long-standing practice of dismissing traffic citations based on personal requests—an act that reflected his commitment to the independence and integrity of the court. He was particularly firm in cases involving families and children, holding individuals accountable for their responsibilities. His courtroom was a place where expectations were clear and fairness was not negotiable. Beyond the bench, Richard was a husband, father, and grandfather, and the same steadiness that defined his courtroom defined his home. He spent his life holding others accountable, and in doing so, left a lasting mark on the community he served. People knew where he stood, and that consistency became something they relied on. He will be remembered by his family and all who knew him for the life he lived and the example he set. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie Hood and Miriam Hood, and his brother, Michael Hood. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Kathryn Kelley Hood; his sons, Richard Edward Hood (Michele) and Andrew Burton Hood (Marjan); his stepchildren, Kelley Rayboun and Michael Claude Rayboun (Allison); and his grandchildren, Fletcher Hood, Christopher Hood, Alex Hood, Henry Rayboun, and Kate Rayboun. Funeral services will be held at Bevis Funeral Home on April 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., 200 John Knox Road, with a reception immediately following. Private interment will take place at Brown, Bush & Tindell Cemetery in Graceville at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Big Bend Hospice Foundation or to a charity of your choice. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Hood family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Hon. Richard L. Hood

April 30, 1942 - April 21, 2026