Hobart Speegle Jr, age 91, passed away January 23, 2017. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and the cherished patriarch of the Speegle clan who served as a role model for faith, family, and wisdom.

He was born February 5, 1925 at home in Elizabeth City, Virginia which is now known as Hampton, Virginia. He was the second oldest of Hobart and Mabel Speegle's seven children. After graduating from Hampton High School, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After receiving flight training, he was transferred to the 385th Bomb Group of the 8th Army Air Corps in England where he held the rank of 1st Lieutenant Navigator. He was proud to have served his country in WWII where he flew 33 missions in a B-17. Two of these missions provided humanitarian aid. After returning from the war, he attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute, now known as Virginia Tech where he became an avid life-long Hokie fan. As a member of the Class of 1949, he was formally inducted as a member of The Old Guard of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association on October 15, 1999. Before graduating with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, he met and married the love of his life, Jane Brimmer Speegle. He is survived by his "bride" Jane of 67 years; two children, Dr. John Hobart Speegle (Betty) and Melissa Jane Speegle (Charles Dennis Carroll); two grandchildren, Kathryn Henderson (Peter) and Ashley Schmitt (Zach); five great-grandchildren, Peter Vanwirt Henderson III, Elizabeth Grace Henderson, Tybee Fairbank Henderson, Hobart (Hobie) Faye Henderson and Adelaide Elizabeth Schmitt. He is also survived by five sisters, Virginia Kyle, Betty Chapman (Milt), Anne Wentworth, Frances Cocke, and Ellen Moseley (Robert). In addition, he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Lastly, he is survived by his four-legged children, Nowell and Bradley Speegle. He was preceded in death by both parents, Hobart and Mabel Speegle, a brother, James William "Bill" Speegle and a sister-in-law, Katherine Collie Speegle.

He was President and co-founder of Warwick Air Conditioning, Inc. As a member of Hilton Christian Church for over 50 years, he was elected as both an Elder Emeritus and Trustee Emeritus and served on the board. He was a past president of the Warwick Lions Club and served on the boards of United Way, and American Red Cross. He was a member of "The Greatest Generation" and felt that life had been a Great Ride!

A memorial service will be held at 2pm, Thursday, January 26, 2017 at Hilton Christian Church, 100 James River Drive, Newport News. A reception at the church will follow the service.

Memorial Funds may be made in lieu of flowers to a favorite charity of your choice.