Gordon A. Hobbs

Gordon A. Hobbs, 91, of Avon, passed away September 13, 2018.  He was born May 13 1927 to the late Fred and Helen (Jones) Hobbs in Indianapolis, IN. He graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Horticulture in 1949, and a Masters in Plant Pathology in 1950.  He was an US Army veteran of the Korean War serving in the Chemical Corps from 1952-4.  He owned and operated Hobbs Nursery, which has its roots and was established in 1812 in Salem, IN.  Later in 1875 they moved to Bridgeport, IN.  It became a 400 bare root and B&B operation until downsizing to a 15 acre re-wholesale yard in 2002.  They sold the business to Larry Becker, Becker Landscape, in February 28, 2006.  Gordon continued full time to assist in the transition and finally retired at age 90.  Gordon was active in many industry and civic organizations.  In the field of industry he was Past-President of the following: Indianapolis Landscape Association (1961) and named an Honorary Member; Indiana Association of Nurserymen (1968), where he received the Award of Merit in 2007; Wholesale Nursery Growers of America (1983-4); and American Association of Nurserymen 1993-4.  He also served as Secretary-Treasurer for the American Nursery Credit Association (1971-88) and previously served on the Board of Directors from 1964-71.  He was Chairman of AAN's Executive Search Committee (resulting in the selection of the present EVP Dolibois).  He served brief stints on Auto Information and Crop Insurance Committees.  .  He also served as the horticultural advisor for J. Everett North Central High School (1965-70) and the Indiana Reform School for Boys (1975-84).  His civic activities include, Past President of both the Indiana Chamber of Commerce (1972), and Indianapolis Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.  He was on the Board of Directory of the Central Indiana Better Business Bureau (1963-69) including 3 years on the Executive Committee as Regional Vice President.  He was Chairman (1982-4) of the local blood donor drive and eventually a 15 gallon donor.