Obituary of G. B. Hobbs

Grover Benton “G.B.” Hobbs, longtime pipe-liner, business man, rancher and friend, passed away from this life to his eternal home on Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Idabel at the age of 79 after a courageous battle with C.O.P.D. G. B. was born on Nov. 5, 1931 to Ed and Etta Hobbs of Haworth. He graduated from Haworth High School in 1949. He loved life and enjoyed spending time in the outdoors-or at least in the pickup-and visiting with family and friends. He was an excellent athlete and the Haworth Lions went to the state tournament while he was in high school. He turned down a basketball scholarship to begin his career in the field of pipeline construction. He went on to have a very successful career as a welder and inspector. G. B. was a welder and inspector for major oil and gas companies throughout the world, beginning while he was a high school junior. Just Saturday, he received a commemorative certificate from the Pipeliners Union 798 United Association congratulating him on 55 years of membership and commitment in the Union. G. B. was known for being a good mentor and teacher of others who to this day credit him with their success. Of course, he had to “line them out” before he could teach them. He was an avid sportsman. He especially enjoyed bird hunting and basketball. He loved to train and work bird dogs and claimed to be the first to “road hunt”. He loved watching local basketball teams at Haworth, Wright City, and Valliant. He was a big fan of the Oklahoma Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs, and OU – when they were playing anyone except OSU. Then OSU was his choice. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, J.W., and infant brother, George (Hobbie). He is survived by his wife, JoAnn Hobbs, of the home; sons, Brandon Hobbs of Wright City, Gary Hobbs of Idabel, and Billy Jack Hobbs and his wife, Dana, of Idabel; daughters, Linda Peters, and her husband, Dennis, of Huntsville and Sherry More' and her husband, Sanjive, of Danville, CA; grandchildren, Mark Holly, Billy Joe Hobbs, Windy Driver, Trey Hobbs, Chelsey Hobbs, and Madison More'; great-grandchildren, Samantha Matthews, Heather Matthews, Alissa Matthews, Brianna Wright, Blaze Hobbs, Emery Driver, McKenna Hobbs, Emma Ann Hobbs, Grace Hobbs, and Allie Hobbs; and a covey of hunting buddies and pipeliners. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 3, at the Wright City High School Auditorium with Bro. Troy Ruffin and Bro. Bob Stuart officiating. Interment will follow in Slater Memorial Cemetery in Wright City, Ok. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 2, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wright City Methodist Church.