Leland H. Hubbell, 87, a long-time resident of Johnstown, died Wednesday morning, September 15, 2021. Born on his parents’ farm near Centerburg, Ohio, Leland was the first-born son of the late Ray and Elsie Hubbell. After graduation from Johnstown High School in 1952, his interest in electronics and television led him to the Radio Electronics Television School in Detroit, Michigan, where he completed a two-year program. Leland then served three years in the United States Air Force.
In 1958, Leland began his career in broadcasting, working as an engineer at WBNS-TV Channel 10 in Columbus, Ohio. In 1964 he became the Chief Engineer of Newark City Schools TV station WGSF-TV on Horn’s Hill and his role soon expanded to include General Manager. Leland envisioned using the school’s TV station as a place to train students for a career in broadcasting. Trained and led by Mr. H, as they fondly called him, the high school student volunteers learned to plan, produce and direct their own TV shows which included a local news program and many more local events. In 1976, the TV station transitioned from operations on Horn’s Hill to a new TV center at the high school. Leland continued to train, mentor, and inspire students in the field of broadcasting until his retirement in 1995 from Newark City Schools. Many of his former students went on to enjoy careers in broadcasting, but all were better prepared for any career because of the unique opportunities afforded them to stretch and grow at WGSF and the TV Center.
An avid reader, he was a life-long learner and went back to school in his 40’s to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education, graduating Summa Cum Laude from The Ohio State University in 1981. He also had a love for blue grass music and taught himself to play the guitar, banjo, bass fiddle, harmonica, and his favorite, the mandolin. He was a founding member of the Gleaners Band and played his mandolin with them at churches, fairs, events and festivals all over central Ohio. Leland was a lifelong member of the Appleton United Methodist Church, where he taught the adult Sunday school class for many years and sang in the choir. As a lay leader and speaker, he filled the pulpit in many Methodist churches throughout the area. Leland also enjoyed ham radio, gardening, raising chickens and beekeeping.
In addition to his wife of 66 years, Dorothy Hubbell, Leland is survived by his daughters Stephanie (Bill) Darling and Melanie (David) Shipley, both of Newark, and his son David (Linda) Hubbell, of Johnstown; 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; brothers Neal Hubbell of New Branfels, Texas; Berl J Hubbell of Fresno, California, and Keith Hubbell of Newark. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Duane Hubbell.
In lieu of calling hours, the family will receive friends and family in an outdoor setting at the Hubbell family shelter house, 7919 Johnstown-Alexandria Road (Rt 37), Johnstown, on Sunday, September 19, 2:00-5:00 pm. Graveside services will be held at Green Hill Cemetery in Johnstown, with Pastor Bryan Moore officiating, at 1:30 pm on Monday, September 20, 2021.
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