John L. Hobley, 63, of Winter Haven, Fla., passed away on Monday, April 25, 2011, quietly at home.

He was born on Aug. 8, 1947, in Kansas City, Mo., to the late James and Rebecca Hobley, and was one of 17 children.

After attending public schools in Kansas City, Mo., he moved to Los Angeles, Cal., and worked for Trans World Airlines. While on leave from Trans World Airlines, he joined the U.S. Army (1972-1975) during the Vietnam Era. He was stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and the Presidio of San Francisco, Cal. At the Presidio, he met his wife, Cynthia Foster of Mathews, Va. After returning to Los Angeles, the family lived there for three years until John was transferred to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. During that time John earned a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Maryland in College Park, Md.

Retiring from Trans World Airline he gained employment with The Stanley Works of New Britain, Conn. He was the first black sales representative of the Mid-Atlantic Region.

After retiring from The Stanley Works, he and Cynthia moved to Lake Ashton Retirement Community in Winter Haven, Fla. During those years he became an active golfer. His passion for classic cars led him to establish the Lake Ashton Car Club.

John is survived by his wife, Cynthia, of 35 years; three sons, John L. Hobley II of Kansas City, Mo., James Hobley of Chicago, Ill., and Damon Hobley (Melissa) of Derry, N.H.; eight sisters; five brothers; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; father-in-law, James A. Foster, and mother-in-law, Virginia Kelley, both of Mathews.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mathews Continental Societies, Inc., P.O. Box 1553, Mathews, Va. 23109 or Solivita Continental Societies, Inc., 172 Prima Drive, Kissimmee, Fla. 34759.

Funeral service will be held Monday, May 2, 2011, at 12 noon in Antioch Baptist Church, Susan, Va., with the Rev. Angelo V. Chatmon officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Viewing will be from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.

Arrangements are by Forrest Brothers Funeral Home, Hudgins.