Don Weldon Hobbs returned home to the loving arms of his Savior on November 28, 2023. Don was born on February 17, 1942 in Preston, Idaho. He was the second of 5 sons born to Eldon and Thelma Hobbs. He loved his childhood in Idaho working and playing on the family farm alongside his brothers: Dee, Delwynn (deceased), Ed (deceased) & Ross. He learned how to work hard on the farm milking the cows, bailing hay and growing sugar beets. He loved to ride their horses and he especially loved breaking and training them.
He lettered in every sport in High School and graduated from Westside High.
He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Southern California mission. After his mission he attended Utah State University where he met a cute girl named Nansi Lea Gordon in his economics class. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan Utah Temple on Friday, August 13, 1965, the luckiest day of his life. He graduated with his bachelors degree from USU in economics in 1966 and was employed by the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn Michigan. He and Nansi then moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1969 so that he could get his MBA from Arizona State University. They have called Mesa their home for the last 54 years. He and Nansi were blessed with 6 children: Doug (Kristin) Hobbs, Kristin (Bryan) Caffrey, David (Kelli) Hobbs, Tricia (David) Folsom, Tiffany (Greg) Arnett, Ronald (Lindsay) Hobbs. He loved each of his 26 grandchildren and especially loved taking them for drives in his truck to see the farm animals in Lehi and to get an ice cream cone. He enjoyed hunting with his children and his friends and camping at Big Lake with his family every summer.
He never turned down a calling and served in many positions including as a bishop, and as a counselor in the Maricopa Stake Presidency for 14 years serving with President Dea Montague and President David Udall. He loved working with the youth and in the scouting program and earned the Silver Beaver Award. He also served faithfully in the Mesa Temple as an ordinance worker and the temple recorder. He also served as the Mesa Easter Pageant President for several years.
He worked for First National Bank which later became First Interstate Bank and was valued for his wisdom and integrity. After retirement, he and Nansi were privileged to serve missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in both Zimbabwe and Myanmar. These humanitarian missions blessed the lives of so many as they helped provide clean drinking water, distributed wheelchairs and prosthetics to those in need, gave out school and medical supplies, and taught English. He always said he had the greatest companion in Nansi. He loved being by her side. He was a man of integrity and honor. He stood up for what was right. He loved His Savior, Jesus Christ, and will be missed by his many family members and friends.
The family wishes to express their love and gratitude to the many friends and family who served our sweet dad & husband. A viewing will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bunker Mortuary located at 33 N. Centennial Way in Mesa. The funeral service will be Saturday, December 2, 2023 at the Maricopa Stake Center located at 613 N. Stewart in Mesa at 10:00 a.m. with a viewing prior from 9:00-9:45 a.m. The concluding graveside service will immediately follow, at the City of Mesa Cemetery, located at 1212 N Center St., in Mesa. For those unable to attend in person a live broadcast will be available. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bunker Family Funeral Home.
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/95499625630
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
We loved yor Dad. He was always so kind and interested in hearing news about our kids. When you spoke with him, you felt like you had his full attention. Sorry for your loss but happy he is free of his physical health trials and in peace with loved ones with him.
Don was an amazing man, a mentor who cared about others and gave of his time to help me personally when I was making critical career decisions. He was always kind to me and I will always be grateful to have had his influence in my life. You will all be in my prayers that you will have comfort, peace and consolation during this time!
Always enjoyed working with you over the years after serving in the mission. you will be missed.
We love the Hobbs family. Don was a loving and gifted leader. A humble servant of the Lord, with a smile on his face. What a great example and friend
I love Uncle Don so much. My earliest memory of him was when Kristin was about 1 1/2, so I think that made me about 4?… Uncle Don walked in the house and Doug, Kristin and everyone was playing with toys in the front room in the house across the street they live in now, and he acknowledged us with saying hi while he went straight to Aunt Nansi and kissed her and asked about her day. Your home was always one of love.
I had the honor of serving with Don in 1982 when we work together to organize and execute “High on the Mountain Top” Encampment along with Dea Montague for 7500 scouts and their leaders. It was a marvelous experience, and Don was such a great and cooperative colleague, with which to deal.
I have so many great memories with my Uncle Don. His wit and humor linked with his wisdom made him an icon in our family. I rode my first horse as a small child on the farm in Dayton. He always made each person feel like they were the most important person in the room. He always put everyone before himself. His was a life well lived. The apple tree in my back yard now takes on a whole new meaning. Aunt Nansi will understand. Our family and extended family are so much richer for having him in our midst. When he’d visit Utah I always ribbed him about putting on a jacket when the outdoor temperature got below 65. Especially considering that Dayton Idaho is often colder than Antarctica.
Thanks to Aunt Nansi, and all his kids, my cousins, for sharing this amazing man with us.
Well done Uncle Don! Till we meet again.
It was my pleasure to live in the Maricopa Stake when Don lived there. He was always kind, respectful, and willing to listen. He never talked down to people. To me, Don epitomized what a person should be. He was a favorite of mine. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Nanci and the rest of Don’s family. God bless you all.