Gibson Lee "Hoot" Hadaway

Gibson Lee "Hoot" Hadaway was born on October 26, 1929, in Ben Franklin, Texas. He was the son of Amos and Ora Hadaway and the older brother of Gene Hadaway. Hoot attended and graduated high school at Pecan Gap High School in 1945. He then attended Paris Junior College and Commerce Teachers' College. He played minor-league baseball until an injury to his arm would change his plans. In August of 1948, Hoot enlisted into the U.S. Navy and would serve as an Airman aboard the USS Bairoko and USS Badoeng Strait during the Korean Conflict stationed between Russia and Alaska. He remained in the Naval reserves for 6 years. Hoot began his law enforcement career as a deputy sheriff with Delta County Sheriff's Office in Cooper, Texas. He then attended Texas Highway Patrol school where he would receive recommendation to be appointed to the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission as a Special Agent servicing various parts of the State of Texas. He retired from Texas A.B.C. after 30 years of service. In 1990, Hoot was appointed to Justice of the Peace, Place 2, of Bowie County, Texas, when Judge Ben Grigson retired. He continued to serve the community of Bowie County up until his death on March 24, 2018, while he was surrounded by his family and dear friends. He is survived by his wife, Jonel, of 51 years; His sons, Joe Hadaway of Commerce, Texas; Max and Kelly Hadaway of Texarkana, Texas; Rob and Micki Hadaway of New Boston, Texas; Seven grandchildren: Autumn and husband, Michael Meserole, Haley Hadaway and finance, Kyle Malone; Whitnee Green, Cameron Hadaway, Kayla Hadaway, Jayden Hadaway, and Lexi Hadaway. Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M. Friday, March 30, 2018, at Chapelwood Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Wilson officiating. Entombment will follow in Chapelwood Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM on Thursday, March 29, 2018, at Chapelwood Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the One Hundred Club of Houston, 5555 San Felipe Street, #1750, Houston, Texas, 75506, to provide financial support to the dependents of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty.