Howard Leroy Hobbs, Sr.

Howard LeRoy Hobbs, Sr., 73, of Biloxi, passed away Monday, March 3, 2008 in Biloxi. He was a longtime resident of Biloxi, but the entire coast was his beloved home. His law enforcement career started with the Gulfport Police Department in 1958 through 1972. He served as Chief from 1963 and received many awards including Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the year and started the first local Police Training Center in the state. He was a graduate of the FBI National Academy 86th class and was a former president and Secretary-Treasurer of the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Association. Mr. Hobbs was elected Harrison County Sheriff in 1972 and served until 1984 where he started the Sheriff's Air Patrol, Watch Programs, and was a founding member of the Mississippi Sheriff's Boys and Girls Ranch. Through the highs and lows he always kept his quick wit and keen sense of humor. Nothing touched him more than when he would co-ordinate and personally fly childreen to and from one of the many Shriner's Children's Hospitals and Burn Centers for treatment. He will be dearly missed by his many friends and family. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard Buck Hobbs, mother, Verna Mae Toncrey, guardian aunt, Hattie Hobbs, sister, Verna Marie "Tillie" Fountain, and wife, Bonnie Lee Hobbs. He is survived by his daughter, Nina M. Rosskopf (Ken); two sons, Howard L. Hobbs, Jr. (Jamie), Lawrence L. Hobbs; and grandchildren, Haley and Alicia Hobbs, Whitney, Madison, and William Rosskopf. The funeral service will be Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 12 noon at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport where friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until the service. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Gulfport. The family prefers memorials to the Shiner's Children's Hospitals, C/O Joppa Temple, 13280 New Highway 67, Biloxi, MS 39532-7514. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com