Harry Hubbard, age 82, former President of the Texas AFL-CIO, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2007 at his home in Bastrop, TX from the effects of chronic leukemia.
He was born December 23, 1924, in the rural community of Rocky Springs, Angelina County, TX and grew up on a farm in a close knit family of 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Graduating from Huntington High School in 1942, that summer he married his high school sweetheart, Marceil Rogers. He was 17 years of age and Marceil was 15.
As a high school basketball star, he was offered a scholarship to Stephen F. Austin State University, but instead of accepting, joined the Navy to serve his country on Guadalcanal during World War II. After the war, he returned to east Texas, then, moved to Port Neches, TX where he sold his car to make a down payment on a home for himself and Marceil.
For the next few years, Harry worked at the B.F. Goodrich Rubber Plant and then as a bread salesman for Fairmaid Bakery in Beaumont, TX. In 1948, as a Teamster steward at the bakery, he began his illustrious career as a highly successful Texas labor leader.
In 1950, he helped organize the U.S. Rubber plant for the Oil Chemical and Atomic Workers Union. He served in every local union office, including President, until Texas AFL-CIO President, Hank Brown appointed him Legislative Director in 1966. Later that year, he moved to Austin, TX.
In 1971, Hubbard was elected Secretary-Treasurer and in 1973, union members elected him President of the Texas AFL-CIO. He remained in that office for the next 16 years, running unopposed for eight 2 years terms. Well known as a man who could be trusted to keep his word, integrity was not an option and building bridges was always his goal. He was an influential force for the organized labor movement during this period, taking decisive actions that have greatly benefited not only Texas workers, but the general public as well.
Retiring from the AFL-CIO in 1989, Harry assumed the post of Director of Human Resources at the John Gray Institute at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. At about the same time, he was also appointed Senior Vice-President of the United Citizens Bank in Bryan/College Station, TX. For the next five years, he worked almost full time, continuing to influence Texas Labor-Management issues.
Hubbard was inducted into the Texas Labor Hall of Fame in 1996 and is listed in Whoνs Who in Labor as well as Whoνs Who in American Politics. In June 2006, along with his long-time friend, Herb Kelleher, founder of Southwest Airlines, Hubbard was inducted into the Texas Labor-Management Hall of Fame for his μhalf century contribution as a driving force for the working men of women of Texasξ.
Shortly after to moving to Austin in 1966, Hubbard developed an affinity for the game of golf. A native East Texan, he began driving from Austin to play golf at the Bastrop State Park where he fell in love with the Lost Pines of Bastrop. He would come again and again to restore his strength from the constant political struggles and battles to maintain the dignity of the working people of Texas.
While winding his way between the loblolly pines that line the fairways at the Lost Pines Golf course, Harry would breathe in the fresh air and remember the days of his youth. For those who knew him well, he was really nothing more than a grown up kid who never lost his love for simpler times and down home friends...and he had more than a few of those.
Moving to Bastrop in 1999, Hubbard fulfilled a dream of living next to the golf course where he could spend move time with his golfing buddies. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Lost Pines Golf Association and became active in the First Baptist Church where he became good friends and golf mates with the Pastor, Dr. Raymond Edge.
For those fortunate enough to know Harry, they know the meaning of true friendship. It meant everything to him. He never let an opportunity pass to encourage and uplift. It mattered not to him the color of a manνs skin or the station he occupied in life. He was a friend to the lonely and an advocate for the weak. His grandson, Christopher, who is Down Syndrome, couldnνt have asked for a more loving and attentive grandfather.
Hubbardνs work led him in the pathway of Presidents, Senators, Governors and Heads of State. He met the Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister of Israel among many others of stature and importance, but he was never more comfortable than with his friends and family.
During the last two years of life, Harry was well aware of his fate, but he never failed to defer to others and their needs. Time will not fade the memories of a true gentleman, a loving father, a devoted husband and a revered grandfather. He will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him.
Remember Harry as a man who loved his country, his family, his friends and the Lord Jesus Christ. He now awaits us in the presence of our heavenly Father, fully redeemed, struggling and suffering no more.
Harry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marceil, his son and his wife, Bob and Jan Hubbard of Portland, Oregon; his daughter and her husband Janis and Guy Dawes of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren, Christopher Hubbard of Portland, Oregon, Blake Dawes, Lance Dawes and Rox Dawes, all of Austin, Texas; two sisters, Lois Lovett of Nederland, Texas and Loreen Broussard of Port Neches, Texas. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, Harry and Bennie Hubbard, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Coy, Billy and Morris.
A private, family burial was held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 11, 2007 in Bastrop and a memorial service was also held the same day at 2:30 pm at the First Baptist Church of Bastrop, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in the name of Harry Hubbard be made to either VistaCare hospice services of Austin, Texas or First Baptist Church of Bastrop, Texas.
Please visit www.mem.com to leave tributes to the family. Photos will continually be updated.
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