John Eric Hubbard

The birth of a new baby in the summer of 1964 was much anticipated by parents, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. John Eric Hubbard made his appearance on July 18, 1964 in Redding Ca to his parents Everett and Geraldine Hubbard. All were thrilled to welcome him and loved him ever since. He was named for his grandfathers: John D Hubbard and Rune Eric Kardell. John is an important name in the family and there were already two living in Redding, so he became “Little John” .

John Passed peacefully on September 10, 2026, with family and friends by his side. We mourn his passing and yet are so grateful for the time we had with him and the memories he made for us. His stories became legendary and will be enjoyed for years to come.

John was the last grandchild born to John D and Ruby Hubbard, they adored and doted on the boy. His older 11 cousins loved to tease him about the special treatment, especially that Ruby’s wonderful cookies couldn’t be enjoyed until Little John got some first.

His maternal grandparents, Rune and Mildred Kardell and extended family were equally loving.

From a young age, John inherited a love for Giant baseball and Raiders football. Watching and listening to those games with family and friends are treasured memories for all involved.

John graduated from Shasta High School in 1982 and planned for a career in law enforcement.Those plans were drastically changed when he was involved in a near death auto accident, Thanksgiving morning in 1983. He survived and became his mother’s focus as she taught him to speak and re-learn daily skills. His father worked hard at setting John up for success and life ahead. John ran cattle on his Oak Run ranch for many years and was proud to resurrect the family's historic 9_V brand.

John was a regular at the PCI and Red Rock in Palo Cedro. He was a joker with dead pan delivery and it was often hard to tell he was kidding until a yarn was stretched to unbelievability. He often introduced himself as the “Mayor of Big Valley”, which of course was a non-existent entity. A favorite spot on his ranch was Man Camp, where dove hunting with his pals and family became an annual event.

He often traveled in the fall to Montana with his dad, bro-in law and friends to hunt on the family’s historic ranch just north of Jordan. The Missouri breaks, on the west side of the famed badlands was the setting for many hunts over the years.

John worked for Materials Testing, Inc from April of 1990 until his passing. He will be missed by friends and colleagues there.

John was preceded in death by all four of his grandparents, his dad and eldest sister Liz South and her son, Steve South . He is survived by his mother Gerry, his remaining two sisters and their husbands; Karen and Vaughn LaTour of Tucson and Anne and Kevin Tomfor of Roseburg Or with their son Mitchell, his nieces Aimee Eberwein and Allison Melsness along with their families as well as lots of cousins. He is also survived by his lifelong friends John Hohl and David Crowley and Dave’s sons, Kelly and Tyler.