Jack Hobbs, 84

Graveside services with full military honors for Retired Army Reserves Lt. Col. Jack Hobbs, 84, of Ozark, were held April 11, 2019, in Roberts Cemetery near Ozark with Pastor Troy Hull officiating. Col. Hobbs died April 7.

He was born Nov. 17, 1934, in Garrison, Missouri, the son of Claud and Velma Mitchell Hobbs. His family later moved to Noble, where he started his education at the one-room Council Grove School. He graduated from Gainesville High School in 1952.

In 1956, he graduated from what is now Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in history and speech with a major in military science. He was a commissioned as an Army second lieutenant and served at Fort Knox, Kentucky, battalion headquarters in Chicago and De Kalb, Illinois, and taught at Command and General Staff School in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, retiring after 30 years.

He continued his education career in secondary administration and earned his master’s degree from the University of Illinois and his specialist degree from Illinois University in De Kalb.

On Nov. 25, 1954, at the Christian Church in Gainesville with the Rev. Paul Rathbun officiating, he married Deloris Hambelton. They were blessed to spend 64 years together.

Mr. Hobbs loved fishing and hunting and spent many hunting seasons with “the Kirby Gang” at Higbee. He especially loved fishing Ozarks lakes with his fishing friend David.

He is survived by his loving wife, Deloris; one son, Danny Hobbs and wife Brenda of Ozark; two granddaughters, Kristy Vandekerkhove and husband Brandon and Jacklyn McCroskey and husband Travis; four great-grandchildren, Kendra and Brice Vandekerkhove and Kennedi and Porter McCroskey; four nieces, Pam Thurman and husband Ed, Paula Cole, Janet Burnett and Jo Davies.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Avis Medlock; and special grandson, Dustan Hobbs 

Online Condolences may be expressed at barnesfamilyfunerals.com.

Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark, directors.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423