Keith William Hubbard Sr.

The family will be at Bratcher Funeral Home for visitation Thursday, February 12, 2015 from 6:00 – 7:30 P.M.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, February 13, 2014 at Waples Memorial United Church with Dr. Roy Spore officiating. Pallbearers will be Chuck Pool, Robert Pool, Ron Perry, Sandy Freels, Richard Munson, Taylor Smith and J. W. Smith. The family will hold a private burial.

Keith William Hubbard, Sr. was born August 12th, 1920 to Colie and Hazel Hubbard. He graduated from Denison High School in May 1937 then received his BA from Texas A&M in May 1941. While he was at A&M, he was Captain of B Troop of the Parson’s Mounted Cavalry. Upon graduation, he worked briefly for Firestone until World War II commenced. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a procurement officer in Dayton Ohio.

After the war he worked for Sears Roebuck and Company in Dallas, Texas and in 1948, he and his father started Hubbard Furniture in downtown Denison.

He was married to Jane Taliaferro McElhannon of Sherman, Texas May 1948 and they had three children together. Jane passed away in 1979.

He married Josie Lee Smith in October 1980 who had three children from a previous marriage.

Keith was deeply committed to public service. He served as a Denison School Board member, President of the Rotary Club receiving the Paul Harris Award as well as the Civic Award. He was also the District Chairman of Boy Scouts and later was recognized as a Silver Beaver. He was chosen as the Denison Elks Club Citizen of the Year and received the local award for the Junior Achievement Association. Keith thoroughly enjoyed coordinating the Golden Spike Ceremony of the Katy Railroad. He was a member of Waples Memorial United Methodist Church and served on several committees including the building committee. In his later years, he spent many hours with the Keep Denison Beautiful Committee as the President receiving the O.B. Schnabel award. One of his lasting legacies for all to enjoy are the hundreds of crepe myrtles and tens of thousands of daffodils which were planted all over town.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Raymond and his step-son Scott Smith.

He is survived by his wife Jo Hubbard of Denison; son Marcus and wife Karen Hubbard of Denison, his son Keith Jr. of Denison and daughter Nancy and her husband Stephen Rogers of Dallas. He is also survived by his step-children Steven Smith and wife Harriett of Horseshoe Bay, Gail Utter of Sherman and Sarah and husband Carl Frietsch of Denison. He adored all of his grandchildren: Blake Utter, Wade Smith, Callie Wynn, Hannah Smith, JW Smith and wife Susy, Taylor Smith, John Frietsch, Luke Rogers and Blake Rogers. His great grandchildren who were gifts late in his life are Barrett, Brady and William Wynn and Eliana and Peach Smith.

A true gentleman, but what people will remember about him is his quick wit and sense of humor. He was an extraordinary man who made things look easy because he loved life. Nobody was faster to extend the hand of friendship with a deep smile than Keith. We celebrate the life of another of our greatest generation.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Waples Memorial United Methodist Church, Grayson County Home Hospice, Boy Scouts, and Grayson County Homeless Shelter.