Gregory Lee Hood

Gregory Lee Hood, 65, of Moab, Utah passed away on October 19th, 2025. Born on August 3, 1960, in Prairie Village, Kansas to Suzanne and Andy Hood. He was their third son.

As a small child, Gregory was cuddly and sweet, also strong and tough. He had big sparkly blue eyes. Gregory was a friendly, inquisitive, active child who loved animals and nature. Even as a young boy, he noticed the beauty in nature and knew how to look for it. He used to say he wanted to be a veterinarian when he grew up, until he figured out he would have to put sick animals down. He spent many summers in Utah on the La Sal mountains at his Taylor grandparents’ cabin, Bar A, where he felt like a true cowboy. At W T White high school in Dallas, Gregory was elected Student Body President, which started his interest in leadership. He maintained so many close friendships his whole life, always making his friends feel important and valued. Several of those from his Dallas high school days are gathered here today.

Gregory attended Texas A&M University and was member of the Corps of Cadets. The Corps was a four-year, rigorous and demanding commitment that he cherished! Gregory was so very proud of his involvement in that militaristic environment - the structure - the discipline - the accountability - the camaraderie - the uniform - the saber - the Senior boots!! He had several leadership roles in Student Government throughout his college career, which bolstered his maturity and confidence. Gregory had many stories of his Aggie days, but the most memorable was on game day his Senior year. The Senior Corps guys were tasked with protecting Kyle Field on game days. They marched around the field in their tall, leather Senior boots and shiny sabers. Only the opposing team’s band and football players could be on that hallowed ground. Several SMU male cheerleaders rushed the field during a television timeout to lie on the field, spelling out SMU with their bodies. Gregory yelled at the boys to get off, they ran at him, a big tussle ensued, and Greg’s saber was unsheathed!! The cheerleaders ran away, and the Aggie crowd went wild!! This incident made the national news … and Gregory was suspended from school! He came back to campus the next semester as a literal hero in Aggieland!! He graduated in the Class of ‘82 with a degree in Business.

After college, Gregory began working for the Prudential in Houston, where his Dad was the Manager. He was a successful agent and qualified for several top seller trips and awards.

Gregory spent extra time with Brian’s three kids, who came to live in Houston. He helped get the kids into Second Baptist school with his connections. Gregory was involved in their schooling, their sports activities, playing cards, participating in fun runs, and going on hikes. He had a positive influence on their lives. The nephews both attended A&M which made him so proud. Andrea came to Houston five times a year to see their parents, so her kids also had a lot of fun times with their silly, fun-loving Uncle Greg.

He was constantly a seeker of knowledge. He was an avid reader, always looking to improve himself and learn more about religion. Gregory went back to school to earn his Master’s degree in counseling psychology.

He juggled both jobs for several years, selling insurance to help people financially, and Counseling to help people emotionally.

Gregory always had a deep love for his Mother’s homeland, Moab! Around age 40 he began the purchase of his Mom’s childhood home. He lived in both Houston and Moab for a few years, then finally made Moab his permanent home. He spent weekends camping out on the La Sal mountain property – 24 acres of heaven that his Mom ‘SuSu’ owned, which Greg named SuLand. He worked endlessly to clear the land to improve the view, and he built a big teepee that had a queen-sized bed in it. He had a camp stove, hammocks, tents, a big steel fire pit, and real dishes, which made it quite homey. There was a memorable overnight with SuSu and Andrea in the teepee in 2021. Summer of 2024, Gregory planned a meaningful service on the mountain to spread SuSu’s ashes with his immediate family. Just a few months ago, he hosted Andrea’s kids and grandson, niece Lesley and her son, and Brian & Jan on the property. We are all so thankful to have had this extra time with him on SuLand…not knowing it would be our last. He was so incredibly proud to share SuLand with the next generation.

Gregory was very involved in AA, sponsoring over 100 people through the years. He always saw the good in people!! He often signed his text messages with “Ever faithful and forgiving of self and others.” As one friend said, Gregory was a unique person, always reinventing himself and finding his path to self-awareness.

Gregory taught Kundalini Yoga, which is a style of Yoga that uses breath and postures to open oneself to union with the Holy Spirit. It is vigorous, not just physically but also mentally and emotionally. He would host small gatherings of people for 100 days (or longer) in early morning sessions of this intense practice at his home. In all of Gregory’s searching, discoveries and knowledge about different religions, he always maintained and professed that Jesus and God were number one!

Gregory helped create HEARTHSPACE with three others in Moab. It is a nonprofit organization that offers a wide range of community opportunities to gather, learn and grow together. Gregory’s contribution to HEARTHSPACE will continue to enrich people’s lives into the future. Donations can be made to HEARTHSPACE in Gregory’s memory at hearthspacemoab.org

Gregory is preceded in death by his mother Suzanne Taylor Hood and survived by his father, Andy Hood (Tulsa), his brothers: John Taylor Hood and wife Hilary (Mill Valley, CA), Brian Hood and wife Jan (Erie, CO) and his sister, Andrea Hood Davis and husband Rob (Tulsa, OK). He adored his 9 nieces and nephews. He was amazed by his 13 great nieces and nephews, with 2 more on the way!

A celebration of his life service will take place on Friday, November 7th at 12:00 p.m. at Community Church in Moab, UT. This was his Grandmother Helen Taylor’s church. Directly after the service, we invite everyone to share some desserts, coffee and tea in memory of Greg’s insatiable sweet tooth. His family will spread his ashes on SuLand.

Pastor Kyle VanArsdol will be the officiant.