James Hobizal Obituary

In Loving Memory of James Edward Hobizal, Jr. James Edward Hobizal, Jr. arrived to delighted parents James (Jim) Edward Hobizal and Hattie Adele Kuntschik on May 18, 1952. He was born in the quiet little country town of Gonzales, Texas and lovingly presented for baptism at two weeks old.
A beautiful beginning indeed, took a tough turn when, at age three, James' father tragically lost his life in a car accident on November 19, 1955. During this very difficult season of loss, extended family graciously brought little James into their care and into their homes for a time. An ache, surely that never left him, could in fact be a very real source of the patience, compassion, mercy, gentleness, generosity, and understanding that people undoubtedly sensed in his presence. It's interesting, A.W. Tozer has said: "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply."
Amazingly, profound growth and usefulness to God can come through experiences of suffering and hardship. Trials and adversity can shape our character, deepen our faith, and prepare us for greater impact. And James' life has undoubtedly left a significant and enduring impact on those around him. It's fascinating, and we may not realize it at the time, but our choices amidst pain can actually yield a beautiful and plentiful harvest - fruit that lasts. It's been said: "Joy is a personal choice to react to life's uncertainties with faith" (Skip Heitzig).
And James' life was full of JOY. He grew and enjoyed a playful and curious childhood with his three sisters LaVerne, Margaret, and Judy. They met regularly with their large and lively extended family - going down to the river, fishing, picnicking, and just enjoying one another's company. He received his first Holy Communion at age five and received Confirmation at age twelve. His friendships developed and bonded his heart to many wonderful people in his hometown as he started to work and play baseball, football, and basketball in school. He took his first job with a kind family friend who noticed and began to cultivate young James' interests and skills in building and working with his hands. He flourished in every kind of task from construction to carpentry, from fence building to cement laying, from welding to metal work to really any task involving an idea, a design, and purpose. His playful sense of humor also came through time after time in all sorts of practice jokes and funny little schemes - like climbing the spirit ladder for his dear GHS friends only if the roar of a crazed high-school pep-rally crowd grew in proportion to each step of course ;)
"Jamie" (to his buddies) graduated from Gonzales High School with the Class of 1970. He was thrilled to recently celebrate their fifty-fifth-class reunion together on May 17th of this year. Right out of high school and full of energy, Jamie then took off for college to Southwest Texas State University and successfully graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Arts in 1974 while simultaneously earning a Teaching Certificate for grades 7-12.
In June of the same year, he was appointed Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and began Pilot Training at Vance AFB Oklahoma. He took in the training like a sponge, impressed with all the capabilities of our United States Military. He learned to refuel aircraft mid-air, parachuted from planes, trained in a mega aircraft "that required a flight crew of eight - configured for a pilot, copilot, navigator, chief flight engineer, electrical flight engineer, radio operator, and two loadmasters in the cockpit." He was so impressed! Jamie also went through the very brutal training to survive a war time capture situation. When he spoke of these experiences, he always did so with poise and composure, honored to serve his country.
Jamie married his beauty and love Jo Nell seven months later on December 28, 1974. Together, they managed Texas Agri-Products, a family poultry farm in Smiley. During this time, they enjoyed weekend trips to the lake with friends - water skiing, jet skiing, and long bbq pontoon boat rides down the Guadalupe. They also enjoyed beach trips, a family Disney cruise, and even had the chance to explore Turtle Bay on Oahu in Hawaii. In the coming years, their family began to grow as two baby girls were born to them, Krista Beth in 1978 and Kimberly Nicole in 1980.
In the second part of his life, James began a new adventure, accepting a position at Berry Aviation (BAI) in 1998. His first roll assigned was securing approvals through the city and FAA to build new corporate office buildings at the San Marcos Airport. He was also the lead on any new building project BAI planned for the airport. The last building he completed was in 2018, a 30,000 square foot hangar and office building complex for the BAI Maintenance Department. He was also the lead on a large aircraft modification program an Israeli group hired Berry Aviation Inc. to perform for the Peruvian government. This was a sensitive ISR program where two Peruvian aircraft were modified and installed with advanced capability audio recording devices and cameras. This required following extremely strict protocols.
During the last eight years of his time at BAI, he fulfilled the role of Director of Safety. This is a required FAA and DoD position. He oversaw all aspects of company safety, including: maintenance, records, flight crews, and personnel exposed to hostile environments. "Berry Aviation Inc. never lost a single person or aircraft during his time," remembers Sonny Berry, his boss. "James accomplished and assisted with so many more things, these are just a few. He was a genuinely a Jack of all trades and a true friend."
And then, just like that, to his absolute JOY, his beloved family began to grow again, as two sons (finally, haha!) came to him - Donald Kreg in 1999 and Justin Boon in 2004. And three grandsons, the sparks of light in his life, soon followed - Payton Boon in 2007, Spencer James in 2009, and Liam Parker in 2012.
Jamie's intense and devoted affection for his family was evident and known by everyone. His walls, whether at home or work, are covered with pictures of his kids and grandkids. He diligently and continually provided for, protected, encouraged, built-up, and watched over the ones he loved. He habitually put others ahead of himself. He gave his time like there was an endless supply of it. He'd drop whatever he was doing to take care of someone else. "I don't ever remember him meeting me (or anyone really) without offering a bear hug and a gift in his sure, strong hands," says his daughter. Assisting and coming alongside others in their projects brought him the most satisfaction and happiness. Wood working and carpentry developed into his service as unto the Lord, a ministry arranged just for him.
He also enjoyed many, many other aspects of life, like fishing and hunting, music and marksmanship, photography and practical jokes, water-ski tournaments and Christmas-time with the whole family, tending his animals and colorful, expansive sunsets on the farm. On August 10, 2020, he reaffirmed his whole-hearted belief in Jesus as his Lord as Savior. And on July 7, 2025, he was welcomed Home to Heaven with the open arms of a Father and King who loves him and had appointed every day written for him before one had come to be. Psalms reassures us: "And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them" (139:16, NKJV).
On Saturday, July 19, 2025, we will Celebrate Jamie's life, a life well lived, at St. James Catholic Church in Gonzales (417 N College, Gonzales, TX 78629). Visitation will begin at 9am, Rosary at 9:30am, Mass at 10am, Burial at 11am, and a bbq lunch reception will follow at 12pm in the Church Parrish Hall.
Pallbearers attending him will be: Justin Deming, Mike Philbrick, Randy Zella, Sonny Berry, Dallis Peterson, Dakota Peterson, Lance Remschel, Garrett Remschel, Dwaine Wagner, and Josef Nelson.
Honorary Pallbearers attending him will be: Payton Deming, Spencer Deming, Liam Deming, Macadio (Jose) Rodriguez, Greg Tieken, Hunter Zella, Mason Philbrick, Todd Remschel, Tim Nelson, Mike Davis, Rat (David) Schautteett, and Steve Breitschopf.
James is preceded by his father James (Jim) Edward Hobizal, mother Hattie Adele Lesak, stepfather Tony Lesak, sister Laverne Wagner, brother-in-law and sister Clint and Judy Weston, nephews Bobby Lee Weston and Walt Sheffield, brother-in-law Lynn Sheffield, and son-in-law Donald Kreg Llewellyn.
Still running the race behind him are his sister Margaret Zella, son-in-law and daughter Justin and Kimberly Deming, daughter Krista Llewellyn, grandsons Payton Boon Deming, Spencer James Deming, and Liam Parker Deming, his love JoNell, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and wonderful extended family and friends.
In lieu, of flowers, please consider donating to support the Wounded Warriors Project, All Can Ski, or Samaritan's Purse in his memory.
We thank God for you James Edward Hobizal, Jr.! There is no one on Earth like you. Your life has ministered to ours in many, powerful and lasting ways. To be welcomed with the words: "Well Done, good and faithful servant" what a glorious arrival you are experiencing!!! Thank you for the life you lived and the ethic and example you leave with us. We Deeply Love and Honor You. See You in Heaven!
"If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9, NLT).
"See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared" (Exodus 23:20).
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' And He said to me, 'Write, for these words are true and faithful'" (Revelation 21:4-5, NKJV).
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