J. Harvey Hobson Sr.

1919 - 2011

J. Harvey Hobson

Clemson

James Harvey Hobson, Sr., 93, of 222 Riggs Drive, died Friday, September 02, 2011.

Mr. Hobson was born in Townville, SC to James Maxwell and Grace Routh Hobson on September 6, 1917. He graduated from Belton High School and earned a bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry from the University of South Carolina. He earned his master's and Ph.D. degrees from Emory University. He taught at Clemson from 1940-1980, when he retired as Distinguished Alumni Professor of Chemistry. He was married to the late Martha Horton Hobson for 62 years.

He is survived by a daughter, Martha H. Johnson and her husband George of Irmo, SC; a son J. Harvey Hobson, Jr. and his wife Pamela of Palm Bay, FL; four grandchildren, Emily Hynds and her husband Keith of Birmingham, AL, Lydia Reynolds and her husband Dana of Boston, MA, Benjamin Hobson of Chesapeake, VA, Carolyn Hobson of Atlanta, GA; and four great-grandchildren, Hannah and Joshua Hynds and Daniel and Peter Reynolds. He is predeceased by a sister, Eleanor H. Davis and a brother, Walter M. Hobson.

Harvey was a member at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church and served as both a deacon and an elder there. He also taught Sunday school classes to high school students and to adults, and he volunteered in the church office on FHOG duty.

After retirement from Clemson in 1980, he helped students in elementary and junior high schools who needed assistance in reading, math and science. He delivered Meals on Wheels once a week for 20 years.

He was a member and secretary of the Old Stone Church Commission for a number of years. He was also a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Forum Club, Fellowship Club and Lions Club.

He was an avid gardener. He was a member of the American Iris Society, served as Regional Vice President, and was an accredited judge. He was a member of the American Hemerocallis Society and did breeding of both irises and daylilies. He judged flower shows throughout Georgia, North and South Carolina.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 10, 2011 at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church. Visitation will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fort Hill Presbyterian Church, 399 College Avenue, Clemson, SC 29631.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home.