RIDGELAND — Nat Hovious passed away Monday, Jan. 18, 2010. He was 85.

Mr. Hovious was born in Jackson June 19, 1924, to Fred and Beatrice Hovious. He attended Central High, where he was a drum major and an Eagle Scout.

After graduating high school, Nat attended Mississippi State for two years before leaving to join the Army Air Corps, along with his twin brother Fred. They both served as pilots in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Fred died in combat when his plane was shot down. As the sole surviving son in his family, Nat was given the option to return home, which he declined.

After the War, Nat returned to Jackson to finish his degree at Millsaps College. He attended Jackson School of Law at night to earn his juris doctorate. He spent his career working for Illinois Central Railroad in Vicksburg as a claims agent until his retirement in 1986. For 50 years, he was married to Lucy Robinson Hovious, who died in 2003. After that he moved to Ridgeland to be close to his grandchildren.

Nat, a lifelong Baptist, served as a deacon for many years. He was a gregarious, generous, gifted storyteller, who, along with his wife, opened their home, particularly during holidays, to family, friends and neighbors. Nat was truly one of those men who never met a stranger.

Above all, throughout his life, Nat cherished most his children and his grandchildren: his son Nat Jr., who died in 1980; his daughter, Lucy Hovious Weber and son-in-law Greg Weber of Madison; his infant grandson, Jonathan Hovious Weber, who passed away in 1990; his granddaughter, Katherine Weber of Madison; and his grandson, Nathan, of Madison. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Margaret Robinson of Ridgeland.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. at Wright & Ferguson on High Street. Funeral services will be Friday at 2 p.m., with 1 p.m. visitation at Wright & Ferguson. Burial will follow at Cedar Lawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Weber, Jason Love, Jim Love, John England, Winky Freeman and Randal Little.

Memorials may be made to the Jackson office of The Salvation Army.