Rev. Dr. John Richard Hobson Sr.

Rev. Dr. John Richard (Dick) Hobson, Sr., 93, passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at his home at Givens Highland Farms in Black Mt., North Carolina, where he was cared for by his wife of 9 years, Ina Hughs, and a beloved caregiver, Benetta Todeh Wilson. Dick was born on May 3, 1931, in Clover, South Carolina, to Patrick Henry Hobson and Lena Elizabeth Clarke Hobson. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Hilda Blaine Plecker Hobson.

After graduation from Davidson College in 1953, Dick attended Union Theological Seminary, graduating in 1957 with a Master of Divinity, and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister, later receiving his Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary in 1989. During his service in the Presbyterian Church, USA, Dick served four congregations, Oakboro-Ridgecrest Presbyterian Church in Stanfield, NC, from 1957- 1961, Shiloh Presbyterian Church in Grover, NC, from 1961-1965, Squires Memorial Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, VA, from 1965 -1971, and First Presbyterian Church, Sanford, NC, from 1971-1994. Dick retired from full-time ministry in 1994 but continued to serve the church by faithfully supplying pulpits and serving in interim roles for another 20 years, including churches in Anderson, SC, Swannanoa, NC, and Marshall, NC.

Following Dick's retirement in 1994, he and his first wife, Hilda, moved to Black Mt., NC, where they were active in Black Mt. Presbyterian Church and volunteering at the Kiwanis Club Thrift Shop. Dick loved the beach, oysters fried or steamed, and almost anything sweet. In the years he was able, pulling their camper to national parks across the country, visiting and re-visiting the Grand Tetons, Alaska, Glacier National Park, Waterton Provincial Park in Canada, and others provided hikes and vistas with treasures of memories that inspired a legacy of love for the outdoors that continues in the subsequent three generations of Hobsons.

In addition to his wife, Ina Hughs, Dick is survived by three sons, Dr. John R. Hobson, Jr. and wife Flora, of Flat Rock, NC, Paul T. Hobson of Black Mt., NC, Carl P. Hobson and wife Virginia, of Wake Forest, NC, six grandchildren, Dr. David R. Hobson and wife Jill, of Concord, NC, Patrick E. Hobson and wife Andrea, of Greenwood, SC, Cauley L. Hobson and wife Anna Bryce, of Charleston, SC, John Hobson and wife Lindsey, of Eagle River, AK, Elizabeth Blaine Hobson, of Wake Forest, NC, and Cari Weston and husband Scott, of Sanford, NC, and six great-grandchildren, Carlisle, Teddy, Charlie, Ellison, Lauchlin, and Carter.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Dr. Patrick Hobson and Fred Hobson, and two sisters, Carolyn Hobson Cartwright and Louise Hobson Callaghan.

A memorial service will be held at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church on Saturday, May 3, at 3:00 PM. Memorials may be made to Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 39, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

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