A longtime Memphis realtor and civic leader has died.
Joel Hobson III, co-owner of Hobson Realtors in East Memphis, passed away recently at age 72 at his home surrounded by his family, according to a social media post by his wife, Jennifer Hobson.
“We are thankful for his 72 years on this earth and know he is with his and our savior,” Jennifer Hobson said in a social media post. “We will see you again my love.”
Jennifer Hobson owned and operated Hobson Realtors at 5384 Poplar Ave., with her late husband. Hobson Realtors was founded in 1972 by the late Jane and Joel Hobson, Jr., who were the parents of Joel Hobson III.
Hobson III — who began selling real estate when he was 24 in 1978 — had been the principal broker and owner of Hobson Realtors since
1989. According to the firm’s website, Hobson agents average over 16 years spent in residential real estate and sell over $275 million annually.
In his LinkedIn profile, the Memphis native cited in 2022, Hobson Realtors helped 52 families achieve their dreams by buying or selling homes, and with a sales volume of more than $43 million.
Realtor friends remember Hobson as kind, outgoing man
William "Bill" Maury, vice president/broker of Coldwell Banker Collins-Maury Realtors in East Memphis spoke about Hobson's influence.
Maury, who has been an active real estate agent in Memphis for more than 40 years, said he had known Hobson and his parents since he's been in the business since 1984. He spent two years working for Hobson Realtors.
He said Hobson had "exemplary character" and was "a consummate professional." Maury said Hobson's parents were highly-respected, and Joel Hobson, III continued that reputation by becoming one of the most respected realtors in the industry.
"He ran a great company, who played by the book and was very ethical," Maury said. "He was a great competitor and a fine gentleman. Also, when I worked a transaction with him that I always knew it was going to be a good transaction because he knew what he was doing. He was also a great mentor to not only me, but to many agents out there."
Sue Turner is the broker/manager of Crye-Leike Realtors in Germantown. Turner said she had known Hobson for more than 40 years, and touted Hobson Realtors as a legacy company in Memphis.
“His mom and dad started a great company, and was part of the community as well,” Turner said. “Joel followed in their footsteps to learn the business. When the baton was passed to him, he just never missed a beat. So, there is a legacy and history there for his firm as well as him.”
Turner said all enjoyed working with Hobson.
“He was a gentleman as well being intelligent, friendly and outgoing,” Turner said. “Every person that knew Joel is going to say, we’re going to miss his humor, his smile and being a friend regardless of who you worked for. He’s going to be sorely missed.”
Hobson was also known for being active in the Memphis community, while serving on several boards — including on the Memphis Area Association of Realtors board of directors with Turner — and participating or chairing various events and galas in Memphis.
According to Turner, one of her favorite memories of Hobson was when they, along with other realtors, put together a small band and did a performance to help raise money for burn victims in an event in Bartlett. She said their band played 12 songs and Hobson was the band’s drummer.
“He was an awesome musician and a fabulous drummer,” Turner said. “In fact, I really think he was in a band of his own, but was kind enough to jump in there and help us because we needed a drummer. He was a good one … . It was a lot of fun and we spent a lot of time together practicing those silly 12 songs that we learned together and raised a lot of money for charity.”
Collierville mayor, alderman call Hobson 'legend' in the industry
Turner acknowledged that Hobson is going to be missed in the local real estate industry. In addition to being the mayor of Collierville since 2024, Maureen Fraser is a longtime affiliate broker at John Green & Company Realtors in Collierville. Fraser described Hobson as someone with an impeccable reputation in the real estate world.
“Joel Hobson was an icon in the real estate profession,” Fraser said. "Joel was very honest and he was real easy to talk to and work with. He was extremely well-respected, loved this city and worked very hard in our industry.”
John Stamps, an alderman on the Collierville Board of Mayor and Alderman, has been the owner and operator of the Stamps Real Estate Co. located on Collierville's Town Square for the past 14 years. He said Joel was a highly respected leader in Memphis real estate.
"He had high standards, tremendous knowledge of the business and a presence in Memphis that command respect," Stamps said. "He made a lasting impact on our industry and will be greatly missed."
Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Corey.Davis@commercialappeal.com or 901-293-1610.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: East Memphis realtor Joel Hobson III remembered as 'icon' in industry
