Randy Ross Hobgood

We all have a story or two about Randy Hobgood. Many of us probably had a name for him too; Hobby, Hobgood, Big Daddy, Pop Pop. For me, it was Dad. Born March 2, 1963, to Dorothy & Owen Ray “Slopbucket” Hobgood, brother to Dana & Glen, dad always had that go-getting spirit like his dad. Got his temper honest, too. Like any go-getting Hobgood, I think we can all agree the man had a mouth on him. I mean we could agree if we were able to get a word in. That go-getting, slick-talking spirit took him many places throughout his life. Joining the Army as an air traffic controller shortly after high school landed him in Alabama. In 1985, a night out to the local Valentine’s Singles group meeting had him smooth talking a fine little lady from LaVale, MD who later became his wife, Vickie, my wonderful mother. Through the ups and downs, their partnership and love remained strong for 35 years. His proudest accomplishments were my brother, Brian and me. Dad taught us many things growing up. As a man of Baptist faith, he and mom took us to church nearly every Sunday to help instill a good faith and moral values. He also taught us things like “a man that can’t breathe can’t fight” and to “never take a man’s last dollar.” As a man with a strong opinion and a will to do exactly what he wanted, working for yourself was something that he always tried to instill. Hobby’s Tree Service was his first business venture working for himself. His love for helping people clean up their spaces, quickly grew into us watching the weather channel like sports center growing up and taking him all over the country to help clean up after many of the worst natural disasters many of us had ever seen. His will to help others and go to some of the worst places to do so was unmatched. His clean up after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans ended his career and nearly killed him after returning home with Encephalitis of the brain, but his work was something he was truly proud of. His return home and long run on the road sparked the wild idea of opening Big Daddy’s Boat house in Henderson, KY. We all HEARD Big Daddy and the waves he made for the city of Henderson. Love him or hate him he was a man with ideas that only a few could dream to achieve. Dad had his demons and struggled through life from time to time but no matter what was going on, he was always willing to do anything for his family and friends. He was a brilliant man. One who knew a little about everything. In recent years, he had become the best Pop Pop to his grandkids Owen Ray and Eadie. If you asked them, he hung the moon. Randy Hobgood was many things in life. Just a small town Sebree boy who had dreams that had no limits. He saw the world and all that it had in it. He was a hell raiser who had no filter. He was the master of all fixes and the one to call when anything broke, no matter where you were. I’m sure we all have a story about Randy Hobgood and I’m sure we each had a name we called him. For me, Dad was his best name. Randy is survived by his loving wife, Vickie; his children and their spouses, Moriah Hobgood & Lance Farley and Brian & Ashton Hobgood; his grandchildren, Owen Ray & Eadie Rae Hobgood & Kentlee Hamner; his brother and his spouse, Glen and Kathy Hobgood; his niece and nephews, Sam & Stephanie Jackson & Greg and Rodney Wead. Memorial service will be on Saturday, February 13 at 11 a.m. at Morganfield First Baptist Church with Bro. Steven Custer officiating. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Tomblinson Funeral Home in Henderson is entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to God’s Little Lambs Daycare at Morganfield First Baptist Church.