Gary Mack (Hobbs) Hobbs

In Loving Memory

Gary Mack Hobbs - Grandad

It is always difficult to say goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Gary Mack Hobbs took his last breath on earth and first breath in heaven on Monday, June 19, 2023, after fighting cancer for 30 years. Gary Mack was born on Sunday, February 9, 1941, in Mt. Pleasant,Texas to Junie Valerie Graves and Ottis Hobbs. Husband to Sandy Hobbs, father of 3 children, grandfather of 10, and great-grandfather of 5. He was a man who loved Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength. He was a man who did not lean on his own understanding but in all his ways acknowledged Christ and lived to make Christ known. Here is a little glimpse into our Daddy's life...

Gary Mack enjoyed growing up on his farm in Mt. Pleasant. He would always share stories about ranch life, the Farmer's Academy, and riding horses, that kept us smiling. Around the age of eight, he and his family moved to Amarillo. At their house
on Kentucky St., he, Sharron, Joe, and Billy continued to grow and develop the childhood memories we share to this day. Gary ended his high school years at Tascosa High, graduating with honors in 1959. He was a tri-sport high school athlete and set
many records that prompted his induction into Tascosa's Hall of Fame. His love for football carried him to New Mexico State University on scholarship where he played on the back-to-back Sun Bowl Championship team and, more importantly, met his
wife, Sandy Whitney. In 1962 their love story began. On their second date, they shared their favorite book with each other, and to their surprise it was the same book on 1 Corinthians 13 "the Love Chapter". Kind and enduring love was seen in their life
together and poured out onto their family and friends. He graduated from NMSU with a Civil and Structural Engineering degree that he continued to build upon, getting several engineering master's and two Ph.D.'s- his favorite being from Texas A&M. Gary
went on to enlist in the United States Air Force, serving 42 years as a decorated pilot (Command Pilot rating) and intelligence agent. He flew the T-38, F-4, B-52, C-5 and the B-1. Dad served during Vietnam, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, and OIF. He worked
overseas for years and opened two engineering firms in Dallas, Texas. Whilst getting his MA in theology at Dallas Theological Seminary, Dad's love for Scripture grew. He never stopped craving the Scriptures or studying any book that rightly divided them.
The reality is, there are just so many remarkable things this man did a whole book could be written to commemorate them. The even crazier thing is that the average person who met him would never have known he did them.
He did not feel the need to justify himself, to posture, or to pose. He did not have anything to prove. He was never the 'look at me' guy. He knew who he was in Christ, and it was because of this that he was so delightfully present with others. You did not
doubt that he cared deeply about you and what you said to him. You saw it in his eyes. You heard it in his laugh. If he was going to open his mouth it was to point you to the beautiful, unfailing Word of God, to the Providence of its Author, and to the
unsearchable riches of His gospel. It is fitting that the last book he was reading was The Gospel According to God. He never got over the gospel. He never got over
the way the Lord had so relentlessly chased him down and said, "Gary, I love you" that day in 1976. He had been running one way and God redirected him completely. Perhaps this was why Providence meant so much to him. He knew he never would
have arrived where he was on his own. We will forever miss our Dad, a man of remarkable integrity.
Gary Hobbs was preceded in death by his parents, Junie and Ottis Hobbs; sister, Sharron Hisey;and brother, Billy Hobbs. He was loved and cherished by many people including his wife, Sandra Hobbs; his children, son, Michael Hobbs (Karen Hobbs);
daughters, Linda Pino (Ron Pino), Karen Holmes (Joe Holmes); grandchildren, Melissa Rain, Melanie Hobbs, Benjamin Hobbs, Kenneth Hobbs, Ashley West, Jacob Pino, Jonathan Pino, Faith Pino, Savannah Holmes, Ryan Holmes and 5 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brother, Joe Hobbs (Lola Hobbs), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and cherished
friends.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on July 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Hoffmantown church. A Burial will follow at 1:30 pm at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe.
There will also be a Celebration of Life in Texas on July 11, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m at the VFW Post 9180 Forney Memorial Post, 13300 FM 1641 Forney, TX.
Memorial contributions may be made to the following:

Flowers may be sent to Hoffmantown church: 888 Harper Rd NE ABQ, NM 87111
Cal Farley's Boys ranch in Amarillo Texas was very near and dear to our Dad's heart. He was able to serve there as a young man with his brother Joe and continued serving throughout his life.
*Cal Farley's Boys Ranch https://plannedgiving.calfarley.org/memorials-and-tribute-gifts
Dad was very intentional in sharing about God's providence. He would be the first to tell you that you are not an accident you were wonderfully created with purpose by God Psalms 139.
* Institute of Creation Research https://www.icr.org/donate/index/.