James L. Hobgood, Jr., MD

Gateway Hospital. He was born October 20, 1932, in Monticello, Arkansas.

Jim graduated from the University of Arkansas Medical School at the age of 22 on June 11, 1956. After deciding on specializing in Anesthesiology, Jim achieved his board certification on October 11, 1963. Jim and his wife, Veleria moved to Evansville, Indiana from Arkansas in July, 1960. Jim practiced at Deaconess Hospital for more than 35 years. He considered himself semi-retired and continued to practice at Talley Eye Care, Jasper Memorial Hospital, and Deaconess Pain Center West.

First and foremost, Jim loved spending time with his family. He really enjoyed participating in various activities with his grandchildren who truly loved their Pop. Since his semi-retirement, he and Nana became inseparable. In fact, they just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on December 21, 2012 in Hawaii. In spite of previous reservations about having small dogs in his home, he quickly fell in love with his “girls,” Coco and Kali. He truly looked forward to spending time with his family and dear friends at his home on Lake Murray in South Carolina. He was a kind, gentle soul not just to his family, but to everyone he encountered. He always had a smile and a warmth about him behind that big smile.

Jim was a member of Christian Fellowship Church. As a child of God, he is now with his grandson, Sean, and his Heavenly Father.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Sean Tilley and sister, Myra Turney.

Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Veleria Hobgood; daughters, Rebecca A. Tilley (James) and Lee Ann Nations (Daryl); grandchildren, Drew (Brooke) and Sara Tilley, Michelle, Josh, and James Nations; brother-in-law, Gray Turney.

Services will be 12:30 PM Monday, March 4, 2013, at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, officiated by Rev. Dale Beaver, with burial in Park Lawn Cemetery. Friends may visit Monday from 11:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to PAAWS, PO Box 115, Newburgh, IN 47629 or Heritage Christian Academy, 649 Barr Road, Lexington, South Carolina 29072.