Jeff Flood

It isn’t often an entire community can say they have witnessed greatness born. It also isn’t often an entire community can say they witnessed greatness flourish. And it is almost never that an entire community can say they have witnessed greatness become legend. But now, the entire communities of Mt. Hood Villages and Sandy can say, without a doubt, they have been a part of that most unique phenomenon with the life and death of Jeff Flood.

Born to Colene and Jeff Flood on July 25th, 1985, Jeff not only became a living testament to his father’s namesake, but was also nicknamed “Pee Wee” after Hall Of Fame baseball shortstop Pee Wee Reese of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. And while his parents always had high hopes for his athletic future, they could never have prepared themselves for the legacy his own talents, sportsmanship, and overall spirit would bless an entire community.

A graduate of Sandy High School in 2003, Jeff immersed himself in all things sports. While his outstanding moments were on the softball field in his adult life, Jeff was not timid about trying new things, welcoming fear and challenge, always ready for his moment to make the sport his own. Jeff also attended Mt. Hood Community College and shortly thereafter began his professional career with DeMarini Sports Inc. as a research and development designer, followed by becoming a skilled light rail mechanic for Tri-Met.

Staying true to his father’s loving and lasting impression on his life, Jeff honed his athletic skills after the sudden and tragic passing of his father in 2005. Refusing to allow grief to consume him, Jeff dove deeper and found himself at softball fields throughout the country. Jeff began his professional softball career in 2016 with the U.S. Men’s Futures Team, quickly moving up to the US Men’s National Team in 2021. Known for his genuine love of the game and competitive spirit, Jeff’s career as a professional softball player seemed to have no strike count, and no limits on success both on the field and off.

Throughout his life, Jeff was known by many different and prestigious titles: US Men’s National Team star shortstop, coach, son, brother, nephew, friend, cousin and, his most coveted and honored title, dad to Landyn Krash (12) and Jaxsyn Babe (10). Jeff knew how important it was to be present for his children.

To know “Pee Wee” was to know the brightest star in the sky. His personality, his positivity, and his ability to turn any situation into something lighthearted was an endearing trait. He loved big and he loved hard, and his infectious smile and love of life will be missed.

“His sister was born when he was five,” Jeff’s mother, Colene Flood, said. “He was so excited to be a big brother.” Jeff was able to put his needs aside while he worked with his family during what was then the most unforgiving of times - losing the family patriarch.

And while the list of those who will mourn the loss of this most extraordinary life is long, it’s the little voices who had the biggest impact on Jeff’s life. An athlete in every definition of the word, Jeff shared his talents and skills as a mentor to the youth in his community, coaching everything from football to baseball, even umpiring youth sports until his own boys were old enough to play. A founder of Golden Spikes youth baseball, Jeff was a coach on and off the field.

Among the many who will do their best to live the “Pee Wee standard” are his mother, Colene Flood (Mt. Hood Villages), sons Landyn and Jaxsyn, former spouse, Mikelle Flood (Sandy), sister Makenna Pearson (Mt. Hood Villages), nephew Emmett Pearson, girlfriend Casey Ingraham (Sandy), grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and a list of friends that could take up an entire page in The Mt. Hood Times.

While Jeff’s short, unique, and beautiful life reminds us to never take one minute for granted, his death was senseless. On average, 34 people are killed each day from alcohol-impairment. According to The Center for Disease Control, DUI cases and alcohol-related fatalities are on the rise and continue to plague communities. If there is a silver lining in this loss, it will be someone rethinking their decision to drive while impaired.

If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol or substance abuse issues, please contact 988 or Alcoholics Anonymous Rehab Hotline at 866-210-1303. Local A.A. and Al-Anon meetings are featured in The Mountain Times monthly calendar.