Taylor Hunt Jobe

Taylor Hunt Jobe Taylor Hunt Jobe, 83, of Gladewater, Texas, died peacefully Thursday, March 20, 2008, at Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview. He was born on August 7, 1924, in Keo, Arkansas to A.T. 'Pop' Jobe and Laura Hunt Jobe. He fulfilled his lifelong dream of helping the sick when he started his pharmacy career in 1954, finally retiring last year at age 82. Jobe graduated from Gladewater High School in 1941 and attended Kilgore College. When World War II broke out, he detoured from school, though he was PreMed exempt, to join the Marine Corps. He spent three years serving his country. After the war, he graduated from the University of Houston Pharmacy School and returned home to Gladewater. He began his pharmacy career in 1954 and became owner of Jobe Drug Company in 1956. Always the progressive thinker, Jobe joined with Tom Perryman to sponsor Elvis Presley's singing debut in 1955 while associated with the Gladewater Junior Chamber of Commerce. Later, he served as President of the Gladewater Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Gladewater Rotary Club, a Shriner, and a 32nd degree Mason. He has been committed to the same church, First United Methodist Church, his entire life. In 1971, Governor Preston Smith appointed Jobe to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy for a six-year term. When his daughter Laura graduated from The University of Texas School of Pharmacy in 1974, they made national news when he signed her pharmacy license as president, a rare event in history. In 1976, Upjohn Company, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, appointed Jobe to a three-year term as Pharmaceutical Advisor of the Company. Taylor Hunt Jobe is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Rose Davenport Jobe of Gladewater; son, Everette Jobe and daughter-in-law Lee Anderson of Austin; grandchildren, Maggie and Tim Anderson-Jobe; daughter, Laura Jobe Kelly and son-in-law Pat Kelly of Austin; grandchildren, Clay and Kacy Kelly; daughter, Margaret Jobe Laird and son-in-law Ronee Laird of Louisiana; grandchildren, Jessa, Judson, Mackenzie, Ben, Madison, and Hunt Laird; step-daughter, Rose Ann Alexander of Austin; grandchild, Jennifer Burk and husband Robert Burk; and great-grandchildren, Jackson and Ryland Burk. Beyond his many accomplishments and accolades, his greatest pride and joy was his loving family. "I am a successful man because I have a loving, supportive family. Isn't that every man's dream come true?" said Jobe in a previous interview. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Graveside services will follow at Gladewater Memorial Park. If so desired, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1167, Gladewater, TX 75647; or to Gladewater Educational Foundation, c/o Madelyn Kennedy, 1618 W. Lake Dr, Gladewater, TX 75647.