Dr. Hobart C. Hortman, Jr.

Hobart Cleveland Hortman, Jr., age 89, Rome, GA, passed away on Wednesday, April 3, 2013. He was born August 30, 1923 in Smithville, Georgia, son of the late Willie Joe Patterson Hortman and Hobart Cleveland Hortman. Dr. Hortman was married to Jane Cook Hortman on May 31, 1952.

Dr. Hortman spent his youth in Cuthbert, Georgia. He completed his undergraduate studies at Emory University and earned his Medical Doctorate from Emory Medical School. Dr. Hortman served as Captain in the Army Corps in Korea in 1948-1949. He received his residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Grady Hospital from 1949-1952. Dr. and Mrs. Hortman moved to Rome in 1952 to join Robert F. Norton in his ob/gyn practice. It was his honor to practice medicine with the Norton, Hortman, Wilcox and Cates Clinic from 1952-1992.

Dr. Hortman was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Rome where he served as Deacon and Life Deacon and twice Chairman of the Board of Deacons in 1958 and 1977. Dr. Hortman served as Trustee and on various other committees. Dr. Hortman participated in medical mission efforts in the Dominican Republic. He was a faithful volunteer receptionist in the church office for many years.

Dr. Hortman served on the Board of Education of Rome City Schools and the Board of Directors of Home Federal Savings and Loan, Floyd Hospital Authority, Floyd Healthcare Foundation and the Georgia Division of the American Cancer Society. He was longtime member and secretary of the South Atlantic Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a member of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chi Phi medical fraternity and Sigma Chi fraternity. He was a member of the staff of the OB Department of Floyd Hospital from 1952 until 1989.

Preceding Dr. Hortman in death are his wife of 59 years, Jane Cook Hortman, three infant children, Katherine Aileen Hortman, Virginia Ann Hortman, John Cleveland Hortman and an infant grandson, Nelson Hortman Meeker. Survivors include a daughter, Cynthia Jane Hortman Meeker (George) of Troy, Ohio; two sons, Robert Patterson Hortman, DMD (Susan) and David Crosswell Hortman (Ann) both of Rome; eight grandchildren, Katherine Meeker Nalley (Slater), George Hortman Meeker (Laura), John Hortman Meeker (Marta), Lt. Robert Patterson Hortman, Jr. (Nancy), William Jeffreys Hortman, Jane McNair Hortman, Elizabeth Aileen Hortman and Katherine Lanier Hortman; six great-grandchildren, Slater, Sanders and Crosswell Nalley, Jack and Reese Meeker and West Hortman. Dr. Hortman is also survived by his special cousin, Gwen Conner of Eufaula, Alabama.

A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church, 100 East Fourth Avenue on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 3:00 in the afternoon.

Dr. Hortman's grandsons will serve as his pallbearers along with his great-nephews Clint Conner and Jim Conner.

Honorary pallbearers include Al Briley, John Burch, Bob Cates, Bob Horsley, Jim Milner, Vince Pearson, George Reynolds, Neal Reynolds, Ron Rhodes, Harlan Starr, Frank Stegall, Harold Storey, Tom Watters.

The family will receive friends on Friday, April 5 from 4-6pm at The First Baptist Church, 100 East Fourth Avenue, Rome, GA.

Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church of Rome, P. O. Box 1189, Rome, GA. 30162-1189 or Heyman Hospice P.O. Box 163, Rome, GA. 30162-0163.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Horizon Bay, Heyman Hospice and special friends for their high standard of professional care, their genuine warmth and Christian charity.

Daniel's Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements for Dr. Hortman.