Attorney Robert “Bobby” Hoskins, father of Forest Park Commissioner Rory Hoskins, died Sept. 9 at his island home near Galveston, Tex. He was 71.
Robert Emmett Hoskins was born on November 29, 1941 to Leroy and Vernelle Hurd Hoskins in Clay, Texas. In 1943 the family moved to Galveston where “Bobby” as he was affectionately called, attended public school. Bobby graduated from Central High in 1960. He enjoyed playing the sousaphone in the marching band and served as Student Council President. He attended Texas Southern University and received a B.S in History in 1964. After graduating, he enlisted in the Air Force and had assignments in Oklahoma City, New York, Vietnam, and Louisiana before his honorable discharge.
In 1968, he returned to the Island and worked for Galveston Independent School District and then Community Action Council while enrolled in the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1975 and enjoyed practicing law. Community activities included Bay Area Scouting, Family Service, Galveston Historic Foundation, Galveston College Foundation, Rotary Club, NAACP, A. Phillip Randolph Institute, and Old Central Cultural Center from the inception as the first President, Port of Galveston Board of Trustees, Kappa Alpha Phi Fraternity, Coalition of Black Democrats and many others not listed. Bobby was the first African American from Galveston County to become an Eagle Scout. He remained active in scouting and received the Silver Beaver award.
Family was and remained a priority to Bobby so he spent time with his sons, Rory and Marc in sporting activities including soccer, little league baseball, karate. He was active with the Parent Teachers Organization in G.I.S.D. Hobbies included travelling and photography..
Robert’s kind spirit speaks well of his lifelong dedication and commitment to church. He was a faithful member of Macedonia since his parents joined the congregation in 1943. He has served the church in many capacities including working with the children in Vacation Bible School and The Old Landmark Association. For the last 42 years he has been a Deacon and remained faithful until God called him home.
Robert is survived by the pretty young lady he met on the beach in 1959 and married in Oklahoma City in September, 1966. In addition to his wife, Billie, there are two sons, Rory Emmett(Monique) of Forest Park, Il., Marc Marshall (Tatiana) of Austin; Grandchildren, Robert Emmett, Jasmine Zora, Jesse Leroy and Eli Joseph;. Siblings, Carolyn Hoskins Softly, Jeannette Hoskins Malveaux (Andrew) of Houston and Gerald Hoskins (Laverne) of Dickinson; Aunt, Eleanor Hurd Nicholson of Houston; Sister-in-law, Deborah Burnett (Donald) of Gardena, CA.; Nephews, Jerome Stanley (Tanya) of Encino, CA., Michael Softly of San Marino, Italy, Ralph Softly of San Diego, CA., Barry Hoskins(Debbie) of Houston, Andrew Malveaux (Bianca) of Houston;. Nieces, Erica Mullinex of Houston, Kara Williams (Steven) of Houston);. Cousins, Wayne Brown, Karen DeBose of Sugarland, Ronald Ransom (Kay) of AZ. and Marva Washington (Reuben) of Dallas.
