Reverend Tomlinson

Reverend Hobert M. Tomlinson, 90, passed away Friday, November 27, 2015 in Abilene. Visitation will be held from 3:00-5:00 PM, Sunday, November 29, 2015 at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy. 277 South. Funeral service will be at 3:00 PM, Monday, November 30, 2015 at New Horizon Ministries, 6110 South 7th Street, Abilene.

Hobert or as he was lovingly known by many, Papa, was born a twin on Jan. 6, 1925 in Somerset, KY to parents Melvin and Nineva Smiley Tomlinson. He grew up on a farm in Kentucky until the age of 16 when he left home to begin working for Aeronca Aircraft in Middleton, OH. At the age of 17 in 1943 he was drafted into the United States Navy where he faithfully served as a Boatswain Mate on the USS Otter in the North Atlantic. In Sept. 1946 he met the love of his life, Betty Fields, and they were married on December 25, 1946. They enjoyed 53 years of marriage until her passing in 2000. After moving to Texas he worked for the Santa Fe Railroad in Sweetwater. After giving his life to the Lord in 1948 he was ordained in 1962. He ministered and pastored churches for 53 years including churches in Ranger, Lubbock, Midland, & Sweetwater, Texas and Atlantic & Council Bluffs, Iowa.

His life was all about serving the Lord and taking care of his family. He loved to fish, hunt, thrived on "buying & selling" and he never met a stranger. He loved his family and never missed an opportunity to spend time with them.

Papa is survived by his two children, daughter, Ronda Rush and husband Wayne of Abilene; and son, Michael Tomlinson and wife Donna of Clyde; three granddaughters, Tricia Hicks and husband Bryan, Anissa Gutierrez and husband Marcos, and Melanie Robinson and husband Shad; twelve great-grandchildren, Tyler and Madison Hicks, Lexie Adams and husband Dustin, Chloe, Levi, Adam, Caleb, & Isaiah Gutierrez, Ashlynn Burkhart and husband Matthew, Kassidy & Karleigh Robinson, and Jordan Knotts; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; granddaughter, Jana Rush Knotts; great-granddaughter, Sarah Gutierrez; and ten siblings.

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