from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Jack E. Hood, 74, of Valparaiso, Ind., died Aug. 6, 2014, due to injuries sustained in a car accident on Aug. 5.

He was born Oct. 4, 1939 in Decatur, Ill., and graduated from Tuscola High School and served with the U.S. Navy.

Mr. Hood enjoyed his life as an entrepreneur, owning and operating Jack Hood Transportation, Express Newspapers, Inc., Kelsey’s Steak House of Valparaiso and Portage and J and P Racing.

He built the largest privately-owned newspaper hauling business in the United States, covering 38 states. He always joked that he had the “world’s largest paper route.”

At the age of 70, he and his wife purchased Kelsey’s Steak House. The restaurant was featured on the Travel Channel.

Mr. Hood employed more than 600 people between his various businesses.

One of his greatest loves was his involvement with Peggy in the horse racing business. Over 34 years they owned hundreds of Standardbred race horses and regularly attended the races at Sportsman’s Park and more recently at Balmoral Park. Gil Levine, the former announcer at Sportsman’s Park, would refer to them as the “Hoods of Valparaiso.”

Over 30 years ago, Mr. Hood initiated another partnership with Dennis Lakomy of Mystical Marker Farms. Many prize winning horses emerged from this relationship.

Among Mr. Hood’s favorites were Kelly’s Keepsake, Champion On Ice (a world champion), and two Hambletonian starters, Classic Photo and Manofmanymissions.

On Aug. 29, 1980, he married Peggy (Rives) Hood, who survives along with children, Doug, Stacy (Dale) Hood-Forney, Michelle Prosser, Greg, Jeff (Lisa), Cathy (Scott) Howard, Heather (Jeff) Klingler, and Chris (Kelli) Hood-Bennett; grandchildren, Daniel, Jonathan, Nikki, Jackie, Justine, Blake, Steven, Cody, Bailey, Grant, Taya, Evan, Logan, Hunter, Emma and Owen; and great-grandchildren, Cadence, Gwen and Ava. He was preceded in death by a son, Art Prosser; and grandson, Bret Laczynski.

A “Sharing of Memories Service” will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday (Aug. 10) at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso, with visitation from 2-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Monday (Aug. 11) at 11 a.m., with visitation starting at 10 a.m. until the time of service. Committal service will follow at Graceland Cemetery Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.