Donald Hobbs Dies; Early Aviation Director
Donald Winston Hobbs, who was director of aviation for Orange County from 1959 to 1968, died here Monday at the age of 78 of cancer.
Hobbs, who retired to Parker, Ariz., in 1968, had supervised construction of runway extensions at what was then Orange County Airport, allowing for commercial jet traffic, according to his son Gary Hobbs of San Juan Capistrano.
Born in Porterville, Calif., Hobbs and his family moved to Fullerton, where he attended public schools. During World War II, Hobbs served as a captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps, flying “the hump” in the China-Burma-India Theater. He was awarded two Air Medals, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and received a Presidential Unit Citation.
In addition to his son Gary, Hobbs is survived by a daughter, Karen Skor of Mission Viejo; another son, Jack Hobbs of San Diego; and seven grandchildren.
Hobbs’ wife, Barbara Prizer Hobbs, died Feb. 2 in Laguna Hills, also at the age of 78 and also of cancer.
Services are scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m., at McAulay & Wallace Fullerton Mortuary Chapel, 902 North Harbor Blvd. Burial will follow at Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton.
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