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- [S927] Obituary.
Carroll Hobson
Carroll Hobson died at his home?in Santa Rosa, CA, on June 30, 2009.?At his side were his daughters Mana Hobson and Tana Hobson Yates, his grandson Christopher, and his dear friend Cecilia Flores, along with her son Samuel. Born John Carroll Hobson April 9, 1931 to John and Thelma Diehl Hobson; he preferred to be known as Carroll. Carroll was a?loving and devoted father, social and political liberal, consummate businessman, avid gardener, and someone who cared about the underdog. As a youngster raised in rural Missouri, he worked on the family farm and walked down the road to a one room school. Perhaps the happiest times of his youth were spent swimming and fishing with his cousins Bobby and Junior Newman. He attended high school in Clinton, MO, graduating in 1949. Carroll believed in the importance of education; a value he instilled in his daughters. He graduated from Central Missouri State College in 1954. He married Norma Byrd after graduation and moved to Kansas City. In 1958,? Mana was born to this union. During this time, Carroll worked toward a Master's degree in Economics and Philosophy at University of Missouri Kansas City. While the marriage to Norma ended, she remained a steadfast friend. After college, Carroll returned to Clinton to go into business with his parents at the Hobson & Son Trading Post. They dealt in buying and reselling fire stock, return, and close-out?merchandise. For fun, Carroll enjoyed dancing, especially the West Coast Swing, and taught ballroom dancing at Arthur Murray dance studios in Kansas City. His dancing caught the eye of Gail Koche whom he married in 1964; they were together for the next 16 years. To this union with Gail, Tana was born in 1969. Carroll and Gail, a talented interior designer, transformed the original business into the fine home furnishing, carpeting, and decorating retail corporation Hobson & Son, Inc. with locations in Clinton and Sedalia Missouri. Carroll's innovative merchandising ideas and the development of a signature carpet influenced the home furnishings industry in the Greater Kansas City area in the late 60's and?70's. Carroll also enjoyed traveling; he would always include his family on regular business trips to Chicago and Dallas as well as vacations to Colorado, Lake of the Ozarks, Mexico, and Jamaica. In 1978, Carroll and Gail moved to Kansas City. He sold the home furnishing business and ventured into basement waterproofing, founding Anuit Systems. He?worked with?mentors in engineering and geology to find better ways of solving foundation water problems. He was married to Veronica Wong in 1985, whom he met while vacationing with Tana in Malaysia. While this marriage ended, Veronica remained a good friend. In 1995, Carroll retired and moved from Kansas City to Santa Rosa, CA, to be near his girls. Mana, a physician, had been living in California for several years. Tana began her nursing career in the Air Force and was stationed at Travis AFB in CA, so it was a perfect time for Carroll to move. He loved California! He made several wonderful friends during his 14 years in Santa Rosa. He was a regular early bird at Gold's Gym in Santa Rosa for many years. He enjoyed going out for breakfast after his workouts. Friends recall his friendliness and big smile. Though he was slowing down in later years, Carroll never lost his zest for life. A memorial is to be held in his honor at The Flamingo in Santa Rosa on August 23 at 3 p.m. Questions or to RSVP call (707) 884-1894. Donations may be made to the American Civil Liberties Union.
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