F.E. 'Gene' Bobo

Frank Eugene (Gene) Bobo, Jr., age 94, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at NE GA Medical Center. He was a kind and generous man who was admired by all who knew him.

Gene was born in Gray Court, South Carolina on July 21, 1917, the oldest son of Frank Eugene and Mittie Lou Todd Bobo. In 1938, he graduated from Clemson University with dual degrees in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, and a Commission in the U.S. Army. After graduation he accepted a management position with Gaybourn Mills in Gainesville, GA and rose to the position of Plant Manager. With the onset of World War II he was called to active duty in 1942. Initially assigned to the Chemical Warfare Service, he was selected for Command and General Staff School in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. As a Captain in the U.S. Army, he served in the Southwestern Pacific in the 38th Infantry Division. He participated in the invasions of Luzon, the Battan Peninsula to Corregidor, and other islands surrounding the Philippines. His division was in Manila preparing for the assault on Japan when the war ended.



Gene spent his professional life in the textile industry. Both in Gainesville, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina, Gene was recognized and rewarded with numerous honors for his knowledge, leadership skills, and commitment to excellence. His business career was spent with Chadbourn Hosiery Company in Gainesville and Charlotte. Mr. Bobo and colleagues, Bill Leath, Robert M. Matthews, and Claude Bagwell were jointly responsible for the invention and development of stretch nylon hosiery. They obtained at least seven U.S. Patents from 1955 to 1963 for Chadbourn Hosiery. Gene served as President of Chadbourn Industries up to the time of his retirement in 1978. Later he joined with Peter J. Mallen to found a new textile venture, Mallen Industries, Inc. in Norcross, Georgia. He truly enjoyed his affiliation with Peter, as well as traveling the Southeast to maintain relationships throughout the hosiery industry. He continued to work actively each day up to age 91. Gene served as the Chairman of the National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers, and the President of the NC Foundation for Support of Commerce and Industry. In 1972 he was an Organizing Director of Republic Bank & Trust Company of Charlotte, NC (later SunTrust Bank), and from 1974 to 1985 he served as a Northeast Georgia Director of SunTrust Bank.



In his community Gene served as President of the Gainesville Kiwanis Club in 1956. He also served on the boards of many organizations in Gainesville including the Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross, City of Gainesville Board of Education, Trustee of Gainesville College Foundation, Trustee of Mercer University, and the Hall County Hospital Authority. As a member of the North Charlotte Rotary Club he was recognized as Rotary Man of the Year in Mecklenburg County, NC.



Gene was a member of the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, and the First Baptist Church of Charlotte. He served both churches as Chairman of the Board of Deacons. He participated in numerous activities and committees and taught Sunday School for many years.



Gene's true avocation was his affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America. After arriving in Gainesville following graduation from Clemson, he was approached to lead Troop 26 of the Gainesville First Baptist Church as Scoutmaster. He accepted, and this led to a lifelong love and devotion to Scouting. He became a successful and beloved Scoutmaster. At one point his Troop produced 10 Eagle Scouts in one year. With his friend and fellow Scouter, James E. Mathis of Gainesville, the two became mentors and lifelong advisors to an untold number of young men in the Gainesville area. Gene's service to the Boy Scouts of America includes Scoutmaster, Troop 26 from 1938