Gerald Michael Hood

Gerald Hood, age 75 , passed away at home, in Laurel Maryland on Sunday, April 17, 2022. Born March 31st, 1947, in Atlanta, Georgia, the only child of Theodore and Gladys Hood.

At an early age, Gerald was fond of the guitar and taught himself to play. He went into the music business and played in a band during his high school years.  At the age of 18 he enlisted into the US Army and served for 6 years during the Vietnam War. After he was honorably discharged, he returned home and continued where he left off in the music business. He worked as a producer and traveled, opening up for several famous rock and roll artists. Within a few years he met and married Sandra. They had a daughter, Kelly and moved to New Jersey in 1982, where he began working as a card dealer at the Claridge Casino in Atlantic City. In 1987, the two parted ways, and Sandra and Kelly moved to Maryland. Years later he met his long-term significant other Sharon and her daughter Kim. Gerald was soon promoted to Pitt Boss where he oversaw different levels of the casino.  After becoming Casino shift manager, he suffered a major stroke and could no longer work. Even though he suffered physical injuries from the stroke and the doctors told him he would never be able to walk again, with the support of Sharon, he persevered and was able to walk again. In 2012 he survived colon cancer. He and Sharon lived out their lives raising pug puppies and assisting Kim with their grandchildren, Brett and Alec. After Sharon’s death in 2017, Gerald moved to Maryland to spend his remaining years with his daughter , son-in-law and grandchildren, Isabella and Benjamin.

Gerald Hood is survived by daughter, Kelly Heskett and son-in-law Joshua Heskett, grandchildren, Isabella Heskett, Benjamin Heskett, Brett Hirsch and Alex Hirsch, step-daughter Kim Hirsch. He was preceded in death by ex-wife, Sandra Hood and significant other Sharon Bressman.

Services will be held from 2-4 pm on Friday, April 22, 2022 at Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A., 313 Talbott Ave, Laurel, MD 20707. Military Honors will be rendered at 2:30 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Gerald Hood to the American Cancer Society.