Dennis Eugene Hubbard

Dennis Eugene Hubbard, age 76, passed from this life unexpectedly November 17, 2015 while living in Sedona, Arizona.

He was born on May 12, 1939 in Morris, Minnesota to Emmett and Harriet (Snyder) Hubbard. He was the son of a farmer. The family enjoyed their horses being members of the Happy Hoofer Saddle Club. At age 11, his father passed away unexpectedly. In 1955, he, his sister and mother moved to Phoenix, Arizona. There he graduated from Union High School in 1957.

Dennis served his country entering the United States Air Force in 1957, learning aircraft mechanics. It was the Air Force that brought him to Waco in 1958. There he met Betty Anne Hodde and they married in 1961. Together they raised three children.

In Waco, he was a salesman for John Hancock Insurance. He was a member of the Waco Jaycees, a Mason (Bellmead Masonic Lodge) and a Shriner. He obtained a pilots license and became co-owner of an airplane, allowing him to be a corporate pilot, charter pilot and mechanic at McGregor Airport. In 1971 he began his 20 years at Central Freight Lines. During that time, the family became active in go-kart racing, with Dennis serving a term as President of the Heart of Texas Kart Club. He would later become a Mustang and Corvette mechanic and pit crew for his children at Sports Car Club events. He volunteered in many local car club events and was even a turn marshall at the Formula One Race in Dallas.

In 1991, he decided to get paid for being on vacation and began working as a mechanic for the Town of Vail, Colorado, taking advantage of the golf and snow skiing. This led to a charter bus/motorcoach operator career working for Panorama Coaches of Colorado, Pikes Peak Tours/Gray Line, Powder River Transportation, Ramblin Express, Tauck Tours (Natl Canyonlands), Princess Tours (Alaska), Columbia Gorge Tours (Oregon), and Riley’s Bus and Tour Inc. (Alaska). He was employed by The Broadmoor Hotel (Colorado Springs), shuttle driver for Pink Jeep Tours (Sedona), White Sands Retirement Living (LaJolla), and even got to work at Oak Creek Golf Course (near Sedona). He saw the Pope, smoke from the aftermath of 9/11 as bus drivers gathered to be of help, the fall colors of the Northeast, and other scenic and historic places of our nation, even visiting Hawaii. He met and enjoyed the company of many that traveled with him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Connie Hubbard. Survivors as of 2021, when family celebrated his life with a trip to Colorado, are his children, Jacque (Doug) Kaiser, Scott Hubbard and Kelly (Donald) Pavelka, their mother Betty Hubbard, Grandchildren Kyle Pavelka, Corey (Kristyn) Pavelka, Sunni Wilhite (Koby) and Truman Hubbard, Great-grandchildren Caiden, Jordan and Waylon Wilhite, Parks Pavelka, and several nieces and nephews who most he had the opportunities to spend time with in the snow. And a thank you to Judy for your love and care.

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