Stanley Lavern Huebert

Stanley (Stan) Huebert was born on June 7, 1935, to Herman and Esther (Buller) Huebert in O'Conner's Hospital in San Jose, California. Although small and frail as a baby compared to his cousins, he was full of life and energy. He had one sister, Shirley, who was six years younger.

His early years were spent in San Jose, where he attended several elementary schools before his family moved to a farm near Kingsburg in 1945. There, he attended Kings River Elementary School through eighth grade before continuing his education at Immanuel Academy. During high school, he sang in the choir and played trombone in the brass band, earning the nickname "Hot Rod." After graduating in 1953, he attended Reedley College, where he ran track and sang in the choir. It was during this time that he proposed to his junior high sweetheart, Darlene Kliewer. They were married on October 15, 1955, beginning a lifelong partnership built on Jesus Christ, love, and shared adventures.

Stan and Darlene were blessed with two sons, Marlan and Rod, whom he loved deeply and took great pride in. He encouraged them in their endeavors and instilled in them his values of hard work, integrity, and faith. He cherished his family above all and was immensely proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, celebrating their achievements and supporting them in every way he could. His love for his family was evident in the way he spoke about them and the time he devoted to them.

As a young man, Stan faced the reality of military service with the draft in effect. Initially planning to enlist in the Army, he was persuaded by a Navy recruiter who promised a cleaner ship over marching in the dirt. In 1955, he joined the United States Navy as a corpsman, completing basic training in Bainbridge, Maryland. Darlene joined him soon after, and he was later stationed in Brooklyn, New York on a Naval ship. After two years of service, Stan returned to the Central Valley and pursued a degree in education at Fresno State University, graduating in 1959.

Stan began his teaching career at Roosevelt Elementary in Kingsburg before joining Lincoln Elementary in Reedley, where he taught sixth grade. His dedication to education led him to become a pioneer in special education, earning him the title "Mr. Special Education." He established special education programs across five schools in the Kings Canyon Unified School District, including Reedley and Orange Cove High Schools. He later co-founded the Prescriptive Learning Center, which provided tailored learning plans for students with special needs. He believed deeply in the potential of every child and found joy in helping them discover their strengths. Stan retired from KCUSD in 1995 but continued to impact education as a supervisor for student teachers at National University and Fresno Pacific University for another eight years. In truth, he was still meeting with prospective teachers, offering guidance and knowledge, up until the day he died.

Alongside teaching, Stan embraced farming, working with his sons at H & F Farms during the summer months. His upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic and commitment to honesty, values that shaped both his professional and personal life. He took great pride in the reputation of H & F Farms as a business built on integrity.

Stan wore many hats—quite literally at his retirement party, where the theme was "How many hats can one man wear?" The wall was lined with hats representing his various roles: teacher, farmer, businessman, military corpsman, mentor, and more. When asked what he did for a living, he would often respond with a chuckle, "It depends on what time of the year you're asking about." Whether in the classroom, the fields, or the church, he poured his heart into every role he took on, never shying away from hard work or new challenges.

Faith was the cornerstone of Stan’s life. At the age of nine, he accepted Christ during a revival meeting at San Jose Mennonite Brethren Church. John 3:16 became the foundation of his salvation. He was baptized in Coyote Creek and became a member of Del Mass Mennonite Brethren Church in San Jose. When he and his family moved to the Central Valley, his membership was transferred to the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church. He became a lifelong member of RMBC, serving for 79 years. Throughout his life, he took on various church roles, including Sunday School Committee member and church moderator. His faith deepened further during a spiritual emphasis week in high school, where he rededicated his life to God. This was one of many times of rededication, as he continually recommitted his life in service to God’s kingdom.

Music was another central part of Stan’s life. He and Darlene were active in the RMBC choir for over 76 years. Their shared love for music was a source of joy and worship. Stan sang with the Men of Melody for 17 years and was part of the Crusaders quartet for more than 40 years.

Stan and Darlene also shared a love for travel, exploring the world together. Their adventures took them to places like Thailand, Germany, and various parts of the United States. Each journey was an opportunity to experience new cultures, meet new people, and deepen their appreciation for the beauty of God’s creation.

Beyond work and faith, Stan had a passion for storytelling. He wrote short stories for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always including a spiritual lesson. He documented his and Darlene’s journey in a book titled Experiences. His love of learning extended to biblical studies, with his personal Bible extensively marked and outlined. He also kept volumes of daily prayer journals and read widely, particularly works by Randy Alcorn and Dr. David Jeremiah.

Stan’s dedication to service extended beyond the U.S. He spent eight summers in Thailand, mentoring teachers and consulting on education practices in village schools. His work there reflected his lifelong commitment to helping others grow and succeed.

In 2013, Stan’s health began to decline due to heart issues common in the Huebert family. Despite pacemakers and stents, he remained as active as possible. In May 2016, he and Darlene moved into Palm Village Retirement Community at the insistence of their family, where they received the care they needed.

Stan is survived by his devoted wife of 69 years, Darlene; his sons, Marlan (Marla) and Rod (Kathleen); his grandchildren, Melissa (Marc) Johnson and their children Mylee, Mikenna, and Magnus; Melody (John) Ogden and their daughters Copper and Poppy; Maisey Huebert; Tyler (Amanda) Huebert and their children Melina, Alison, and Roland; and Mackenzie (Danny) Gonzalez and their children Jaxon and Aubrey.

Stan’s life was defined by faith, family, service, and integrity. His favorite verse, memorized at age nine, encapsulates his spirit:

“On your feet now, applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into His presence. Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make Him. We’re His people, his well-tended sheep.” — Psalm 100:1-3 MSG