M.L. “Tinker” Hood April 10, 1928 – October 8, 2010 M.L. “Tinker” Hood passed away at home with his family present on Friday, October 8, 2010. Services for Tinker will be held Monday, October 11, 2010, at 10:00 AM at St. Rest Baptist Church in Dubach, Louisiana, with Dr. Randy Ray officiating and his wife Lisa Ray and Cindy Hockenjos leading worship. Tinker was born at home in Lincoln Parish on April 10, 1928, and was the son of John and Katie Hood. He was preceded in death by an infant brother Ivin Hood, his father and mother, his sisters Irene Hood Fallin and Alice Hood Love, and his daughter-in-law Trigger Stevens Hood. He is survived by his wife Marie Blaushild Hood, his son Ivin Hood and wife Liz; his son John Hood and wife Liz; his grandchildren Jenny Hood Cohn and husband Brian; Kimberly Hood Audi and husband Daniel; Seth Hood and wife Vanna; Will Hood and wife Karen; Garson Hood Woodard and husband Matt; Deanna White and Lance White; nine great-grandchildren Meredith, Brannon, and Caroline Cohn, Josiah and Andrew Audi, Abby and Sydney Hood, Trigger and Campbell Woodard; his sister Freddie “Susie” Hood Woodard. He will also be missed by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Tinker was best known for his sincere good humored manner and all around likeable personality. A lifetime resident of LIncoln Parish, Tinker was probably known by more people through baseball activities than any other phase of his life. He played for the Ruston High School baseball team until his graduation in 1945. At age 17 he was offered a contract with the New York Yankees, but during training with one of their minor league teams, his love for his family and respect for his father's wishes brought him back home to Lincoln Parish. He then attended Louisiana Tech University and played baseball there. After leaving Louisiana Tech, he joined the Ruston Rebels when the Big 8 League was in operation. From there he pitched for several teams throughout North Central Louisiana. In his own words, “Later on I ran into a girl named Marie Blaushild.” They were married January 27, 1951. Tinker served active duty with the United States Army for two years. Their son Ivin was born while he was stationed in Orlando, Florida. After he returned to civilian life he entered the saw mill business with his father. He was part owner and operator of the J. L. Hood Company, serving as president and general manager. Tinker and Marie's son John was born during this time. Tinker was a life-long member of St. Rest Baptist Church where he was a deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. He served on the Lincoln Parish School Board, Lincoln General Hospital Board, Lincoln Parish Jury Commission, and was Chairman of the Board of Directors at First National Bank. Pallbearers will be Russell Woodard, Brian Woodard, Jerry Love, Seth Hood, Will Hood, Lance White, Matt Woodard, Brian Cohn, and Daniel Audi. Honorary pallbearers will be Melvin Burgess, Fredrick Hood, Travis Hood, Paul Swint, and John Lane Wilson. Visitation will be Sunday, October 10, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston. Memorials can be made to St. Rest Baptist Church or the Alzheimers Association..