Leroy Hobbs

Leroy Hobbs, 89, of Huffman, Texas passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020, at his daughter’s home in Kerens, Texas. 

He was born in Corsicana, Texas to Mildred and William Roy Hobbs.   Leroy grew up in the farming town of Kerens.  He had many stories about roaming the woods, fields, and backroads there.  A favorite story of his was how he would trap possums and sell them for a nickel.  Coming from a family that had to make do with what they had, Leroy became a master at making repairs to almost anything using only the materials at hand.  He once got a car, broken down with a leaking radiator, back on the road using only a popsicle stick and a piece of innertube he found on the roadside.  His ability to repair fences and cattle gates using only spare bailing wire and scrap lumber was legendary. 

In his life, Leroy worked many jobs.  He worked on pipelines throughout the country, where he became a superior welder and mechanic.  Leroy finally settled in working as a machinist/mechanic at Pennwalt/Atochem in Channelview.  He retired in 1994 to devote more time to his real calling, raising livestock.

Leroy lived 40 years in Huffman, Texas where he raised horses, cows, pigs, and chickens.  If you watched him working calves and nurse cows, you would be amazed how the cows would do exactly what he wanted them to do and exactly when he wanted them to do it.  He had a real knack for communicating with the animals. 

Leroy and his wife, Sandra, shared a love for Mexican food and for traveling. They spent many summers vacationing on the beaches of Florida and Mexico.  There were occasional trips to the casinos along the Gulf Coast.  Leroy could “roll the bones” with the best of them.  He used to say he never won a lot of money, but he never lost a lot either, something not everybody could claim.

Leroy spent his last years in his hometown of Kerens surrounded by four generations of family who loved him.  He was the favorite “Grandpa” of all the kids.  He spent his time working his cows and becoming a well-known figure at all the cattle auctions in the area.  

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sandra Jean Hobbs; brother, Billy Joe Hobbs; sister, Louise Borsellino; and daughter, Delia Cope.  He leaves behind sons Leroy Hobbs Jr., Trent Hobbs, Dean Hobbs, Gene Hobbs, and Brian Hobbs; and daughters Renay Crawford, Carolyn Kilcrease, and Sandra McMullen.  He is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Honoring the family as pallbearers are Charles Rayburn, Matt Lovett, Justin Hobbs, William Harrell, Jacob Kilcrease, Jarod Kilcrease, Josh Crawford, Nace Crawford.

Friends are invited to visit with the family Monday, December 14, 2020, from 10:00, am to 12:00 pm in The Chapel of Sterling White Funeral Home 11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Road Highlands, TX. 77562 a Funeral Service will begin at 12:00 pm. 

Condolences and memories can be shared online at www.sterlingwhite.com.