Julius Frank Hobbs Sr.

Julius F. Hobbs passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday March 20, 2022. He was 84 years old. He is preceded in death by his son Julius "Frankie" Hobbs Jr. He is survived by his wife Shirley M. Hobbs, his daughter Jennifer Hobbs Clark, son in law Thomas Clark, his grandchildren Lyndsi Griffith, Jaedan and Piper Clark, great grandchildren Sophia and Jaiyla Baez, his sister- in- law M.A. (Micki) Hobbs, nieces Kimberly Gustafson, Debbie Hobbs, Madonna Schaffer, nephew Todd Hinson.

He graduated from Plant City High School in 1956, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in administration from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, and a master's degree in management from The University of South Florida.

Julius left an imprint in the greater Tampa Bay Area and enjoyed more than 38 years of service with Tampa Electric Company. He retired as the Director of Corporate Relations and Executive Director of the Teco Energy Foundation.

His love of the Greater Tampa Bay community led his past involvement in local and state activities including the Audubon of Florida, founding Chairman and Board Member of the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, was the "Father" of the Manatee Viewing/Educational Center, founding board member for Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center (Now Straz Center), Florida Aquarium, MOSI, and served other various boards and community events.

His interest in education was evident in his service as charter Board Member of the Hillsborough and Polk Education Foundations, Board Member of the Florida Education Foundation, Chairman of the USF's College of Educational Development Board, past Chairman of the Education Council of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and served in advisory capacities for various educational and nonprofit groups as well as the founder of the Great American Teach-In. He was an active member of First Methodist Church of Plant City, the Tampa Chamber of Commerce, and Florida Merchants Association and was a Rotarian.

The family would like to thank his caregivers, Dorothy McDaniel, Raya Bauer, Carson Magann, Steve Miner, and Pedro Labrada

Family Visitation will be at 10 am followed by the memorial service at 11 am. The location is First United Methodist Church in Plant City (303 N. Evers St). Haught Funeral Home is presiding.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Methodist Children's Home or Hospice Sapphire Group.