James Stewart "Hobie" Hobernicht

Mr. James Stewart “Hobie” Hobernicht, 92, of Lowgap, North Carolina, passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital. He was born February 16, 1932, to the late Howard Milton and Lunda Prince Hobernicht in Ursina, Pennsylvania. James S. Hobernicht, better known as “Hobie” or “Papa”, was anything but an ordinary man. He was a kind, compassionate, family man who was full of faith and love for God. James traveled the United States every year to visit family, he loved spending time with his 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He left his family often with this advice, “be smart;” which is what we will always hear when we think of Papa. He enjoyed watching his grandsons play baseball, and was always excited to say that he never missed a single game. James was also a proud, passionate retired United States Navy veteran who served for over 22 years. After coming home, he became a pastor of Gum Orchard Baptist Church. There, he spread the word of God to hundreds of people for more than 20 years. In 1996, during his time as a pastor, James was able to recruit 127 members of his congregation to collect and recycle aluminum cans. Together, they came up with more than 645 pounds of aluminum, and took it all to a recycling plant. James then used the proceeds to pay for fruit baskets donated to nursing homes in the area. This is only one example that goes to show the selfless, compassionate heart James had. To say that it is a privilege to know and love him is an understatement. Left to cherish his memory are his daughters and son-in-law, Margaret Lambert, and Leslie Kriewaldt and Greg Mefford; sons and daughter-in-law, James Daniel Hobernicht and Terri, and William “Eric” Hobernicht; grandchildren, Rhiannon DuBois, Rachel Robinson, Danielle Striebel, Seth Williams, Courtney Parks, Caleb Hobernicht, Meagan Parks, and Connor Hobernicht; and 12 great-grandchildren. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Marcie Parks; sisters, Nellie Hobernicht, Cleda Hobernicht, and Ruth Hobernicht; and brothers, Harold Hobernicht, Max Hobernicht, Harry Hobernicht, Robert Hobernicht, and Roger Hobernicht. The family will receive friends Friday, January 17, 2025, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Moody-Davis Funeral Service. A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Gum Orchard Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Zephyr Cemetery. Moody-Davis Funeral Service in Dobson, NC is serving the Hobernicht family.