James Joseph Hobbs

James Joseph Hobbs passed away in Tucson, AZ on May 19, 2012. James was born January 17, 1916 in Bay St. Louis, MS to the late Hattie (Delcuze) Hobbs/Bermond and James Thomas Hobbs. Preceded in death by his parents, his step-father Rene Bermond, his brothers Rene, Harold, Shelton and Eugene Bermond and his wife of 54 years Ann (McKinney) Hobbs. A year or so after Ann’s death, he renewed a connection with Ann’s best friend from WWII days, Dorothy Chauvin and they enjoyed a loving relationship for 14 years until she passed away. He is survived by his two sisters, Margaret (Bermond) Hover, Roberta (Bermond) Shepard, by his son James, Jr. (Carole Tonigan), by his loving former daughter-in-law Wendy (Mayhew) Hobbs and by two grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

As a boy and a young man, James devoted himself to helping support a growing family as well as living out some adventures; working briefly as a truck driver, working on the railroad, working on the Havana-New Orleans Sea-Train and riding a motorcycle from the Gulf Coast to Los Angeles to find work in the aircraft industry. At the outbreak of WWII, he joined the US Coast Guard and was assigned to a Cutter in charge of boarding and inspecting foreign ships traveling on the Mississippi River to and through New Orleans. It was during this 2 year assignment that he met and married Ann, just prior to his transfer to the USCG Academy in New London, CT. While there, he became a machinist and eventually supervised the machine shop until the end of the war and his military discharge.

He then returned to New Orleans where he began a 30+ year career with Sears Roebuck and eventually retired as a manager of the regional distribution warehouse. After living in Gentilly for several years, he and Ann bought property in what was then Little Farms. When not at Sears, James spent considerable time and effort growing numerous crops which benefited the family and many of the neighbors. Besides providing fresh produce to the neighborhood, he could be counted on to repair and sometimes fabricate various items for friends in the area. Additionally, he always found time to take James Jr., fishing and into the swamps to harvest cypress knees for his wood working projects. Among the many hobbies he adopted, wood carving was the one about which he was most passionate. His hand-carved plaques of various scenes adorn the walls of homes and businesses far and wide.

Two years after Dorothy’s death, he agreed to move to a Tucson senior facility in order to be closer to his son and Wendy. In fairly short order, he adapted to this new environment and was enjoying his new home until his unexpected death. Two of his carvings are now prominently displayed in one of the public rooms of the facility. James was a devoted husband and father and lived an exemplary life. He will be missed by family, friends, and acquaintances who knew him to be a loving, kind, generous soul.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Service at Garden of Memories Funeral Home, 4900 Airline Drive, Metairie, LA on Saturday June 2, 2012 at 1:00 PM. Visitation will begin at 11:30 AM. Interment will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to your favorite charity.

Online condolences may be offered at www.gardenofmemoriesfuneralhome.com.