NORWICH – Hobert A. Jackson, “Hobe,” 87, a longtime Norwich resident, passed away Tuesday morning, July 5, 2011 in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Hobe was born in North Pharsalia in October of 1923, the son of Elmer and Myrtle Hicks Jackson. He attended the South Otselic High School and graduated with the class of 1942. Following his education Hobe entered the United States Air Force serving his country during World War II. He served as a Tech. Sgt. in the 8th Army Air Force - 493rd Heavy Bomb Group. He also was in the Flying Fortress (B-17) as a top turret gunner and aerial engineer. He flew 21 missions over Europe and the Mediterranean. Proud of serving his country he earned several medals including the Air Medal with 3 clusters, the Presidential Citation, the European Medal, the African Medal, the Middle Eastern Theatre Medal and the N.Y.S. Conspicuous Service Medal.
Hobe’s working career spanned a period of 48 years with the I.L. Richer Co. where he worked in many capacities retiring in April of 1990.
On June 4, 1948 in DeRuyter he married Betty Mae Cummings, who passed away March 10, 2002.
Hobe is survived by his children, Judy (Maurice) Bennett of South Plymouth, Stephen (Karen) Jackson of Norwich, Joyce Neal of Bainbridge, Ronald Jackson, Pamela Menard, and Susan (Richard) Lake all of Sherburne, his grandchildren, Brent Bennett and fiancee Jessica Berry, Tonya (Jim) Shoales, Tammy Killion, Tracey (Bill) Bruno, David Hobert (Amanda) Bishop, Patrick (Amber) Neal, Erica Neal, Bradley (Tiffany) Menard, Ashley (Jason) Place and Cody Lake along with several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Also surviving is his sister-in-law and close friend Rena Jackson, Whitney Strobel Hadlock whom Hob thought of as his “adopted” daughter and his many close friends and neighbors who kept an eye on him over the past several years.
Besides his wife Betty, Hobe was predeceased by his son Mark Jackson, his sister Hortense (Cheet) Monroe and his brothers Homer, Horace, Howard, Horton and Holden.
Funeral services for Hobe will be held on Monday at 1 p.m. from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeff Hale, pastor of the Broad St. United Methodist Church, will officiate. Interment with full military rites will follow in the Deer Pond Cemetery of North Pharsalia.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Monday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m.
Please consider memorial contribution to a charity of your choice.