George Thomas Hoblitzell, Sr., age 77, joined his Heavenly Father on September 20, 2024.

He was born on February 12, 1947, in Anniston, Alabama. He often commented that while he and his brother were raised by a single mother, he was surrounded by a large group of youth coaches, who first developed his love of sports.

He graduated from Anniston High School in 1965, where he lettered and was a 3-year starter in football and basketball, and 4-year starter in baseball. He was the boys state representative and selected as outstanding senior athlete 1964-1965. He received a basketball scholarship and played baseball at Snead College where he was the SGA president and Phi Theta Kappa Vice President. It was at Snead where he met his wife of 57 years, Suzanne. He graduated from Jacksonville State University with a degree in Physical Education in 1969, and soon after earned his master's degree in education administration.

From here, he and Suzanne launched their ever-evolving life of family, football, and faith.

Coach Hoblitzell had a hugely successful career as a high school football coach. He coached for 25 years in Alabama and 25 years in Georgia. He was a 11-time region champion, 11-time coach of the year, 16 playoff trips, with 233 wins at the following schools:

Head Coach:

1970 Douglas High School

1971-72 Valley Head High School: 1972 State Runner Up

1974-76 Valley Head High School: State semifinal 1976, Dekalb County Coach of the Year

1977-80 Cleburne County High School: Regional Coach of the Year

1981 Scottsboro High School

1982-1994 Piedmont High School: 7-time Calhoun County Football Coach of the Year, 1 time Calhoun County Baseball Coach of the Year, Eight Region Championships, 105 wins, first playoff appearance 1984; First playoff win 1988, first 10-win season 1988, first 12 win season 1990, 23 first, second or honor mention All-State Players

1995-2000 Dade County High School: 1st State Playoff 1999

2000-2006 Lumpkin County: 4 consecutive playoffs
Defensive Coordinator:

2007-08 Southeast Whitfield

2011-12 Rome High School

2013-2019 Calhoun High School: State Champions 2014 and 2017 where he coached with his son, Tommie, for 12 years and coached his grandson, Tripp for 4 years.

He attended Rock Bridge Community Church in Calhoun, GA. He was a deacon at First Baptist Church of Piedmont, AL and First Baptist Church of Trenton, GA. He was a member of the Piedmont, Alabama Chapter of Carpenters for Christ and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
While he was honored for many years in many ways, his greatest pride, joy, and honor was his family. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Suzanne, his daughter Melanie Thatcher (Phillip), and children, John, Ryan, and grandchildren Isabella and Rhett, his daughter Nancie Lowe (Ted) and children, Chapman, Judson, Teddie, and Nikki, and his son George Thomas Hoblitzell, Jr. (Stacy) and children, Tripp, Anna, and Addie Grace.

He enjoyed his Wednesday mornings playing golf with his friends, "The Zoo Crew" where typically he won their $2 bets.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Ada Belle Hoblitzell, and his brother Kenny Hoblitzell.

In June of this year, husband, Daddy, Rundy, Coach George Thomas Hoblitzell was inducted into the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame. At the conclusion of his acceptance speech he said, "I have been blessed in so many ways, as you can see." As his friends and family, we couldn't agree more.

Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. EST at Rock Bridge Community Church, 905 Curtis Parkway Southeast, Calhoun, GA, 30701, with Dr. Randy Evers, Derrick Griffie and Reverend Adam Ragsdale officiating.

The family will receive friends at the church after 1:00 p.m. EST until the service hour.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes https://my.fca.org/kimlamb .

Arrangements by Ponders Calhoun Chapel, 675 Jolley Rd Calhoun, GA 30701 706-625-7577. www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org