Obituary of Sidney "Sid" James Hubbard

Simple. Wonderful, Patient. Loving. Funny. These are just a few words most anyone would use to describe Sidney (Sid) James Hubbard, Sr. How else can a person sum up 90 years of life in a few paragraphs? He was indeed simple. Simple roots, he spent his childhood on the family farm near Lakin, Kansas; Leoti, Kansas and Flagler, Colorado. Growing up, Sid was active in 4-H, Fat Beef, Soil Conservation and played high school football and basketball. Sid liked to share the story when he and his brother Vernon went back to Kansas to harvest a wheat crop they had left there. They were driving the equipment back to Flagler, and Sid was driving the tractor pulling the combine. On a long hill by Sharon Springs, Sid kicked the tractor out of gear to free wheel. He laughs when he says he had no idea how fast he was going but he scattered combine parts for a half mile. This happened on his 15th birthday and he thought for a while it might be his last birthday! He graduated from Flagler High School in 1946. While in high school, he met “the prettiest blonde and wanted to court her.” His courting was successful as he married Virginia Lee Josserand on June 6, 1948. To this union four boys and one girl were born, leading to eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Sid and Virginia farmed in the Flagler and Arriba areas, raising wheat, cattle, horses, pigs and chickens. They moved north of Stratton in 1962. Two years later, they had a farm sale and moved to town where Sid ran a filling station then an auto repair shop. In 1972, he began his twenty-year career with the Stratton School District. He was a teacher for seven years. During this time, he was named “Teacher of the Year.” He was also a wrestling coach for a few years. He spent the rest of his career as the Transportation Director. He was very skilled, knowledgeable and experienced and was called upon to teach all bus drivers in Kit Carson County. He was asked to help write the school bus rules for the State of Colorado’s Department of Education. In 1991 he received the “Gold Apple Award” from BOCES for years of outstanding service in transportation. He retired in 1992.

Sid was wonderful. He was a wonderful father, husband, grandfather, uncle (UNK), teacher, coach, and community member. He gave selflessly to his family and community. He served on the Stratton Fire Board for 30 years, was a volunteer fire fighter for fourteen years, and served as Fire Chief for three years. He was on the “chain gang” for the Stratton High School football team for thirty-six years. Sid also was on the Stratton Cemetery Board and helped locate unmarked graves. In 1989, his wonderful wife of forty and a half years passed away. In 1991, an unexpected “friendship” developed between him and Dorothy Stegman. Sid found another great friend and companion in Dorothy and they married November 30, 1991. With this union, Sid inherited a large bonus family and they welcomed him. Sid and Dorothy had fourteen and a half wonderful years together, travelling, visiting family, watching grandchildren’s events, and dabbling with their hobbies. Sid collected all of Louis L’amour books, having read all of his books at least a dozen times. He also had an extensive collection of toy farm equipment, mostly John Deere, where he spent hours building a “working farm.” In addition, he loved hunting and would go hunting every year, even into his late 80’s! During retirement, he embraced his roots once again, picking up a new hobby raising cattle. He loved to support the local high school sports teams, too. He would always find his parking spot every Friday there was a home game so he could watch the football team play under the lights that night. He was a huge supporter of his grandchildren and all their activities.

Sid was patient and loving. He was beloved by so many children in the community, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren could sit with him and share anything and feel free of judgment. Of course, they would be sharing more than just stories. Peanuts and red-hots were always available for snacking! His children sure knew that Sid was patient. They pulled a lot of shenanigans! One fondly remembers that he wasn’t easily angered but when he got there you better watch out! Though undiagnosed, his family was certain he had OCD. Okay, maybe not that extreme but he was a very organized man and particular about where things were put. Everything had a place. He loved his family and would send a birthday card to everyone, every year. They all knew they were loved, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, too. Sid was definitely simple, patient, wonderful, loving and funny. He was a blessing to so many and will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Mabel Hubbard, brothers Dean, Vernon, George, Leon, Carter, Eldon; sisters Nona, Opal, Erma, Lois; wives Virginia Josserand and Dorothy Stegman; step-child Delmer Stegman and great-granddaughter Lakynn Davis.

He is survived by his sister Lola; children, Sidney James (Jim) & Mary Lou of Greeley, Colorado; Sue & Terry Cox of Stratton, Colorado; Walt & Susan of Peyton, Colorado; Kevin & Amy of Casa Grande, Arizona; and Larry & Cara of Greeley, Colorado; step-children, MaryAnn Smelker, Kenneth (Pat) Stegman, Andrea (Claude) Maxon, Connie (Dave) Baker, Kathy Leavitt, Virginia Dobler, Pat Howe, Colleen (Ray) Stutzman, Bob (Lynette) Stegman, Linda (Johnny) Johnson, George (Michelle) Stegman, Theresa (Mark) Amos, Steve (Connie) Stegman, Elizabeth (Tim) Pautler, Cindy (Jay) Robinson, Francine (John) Kadavy, Jeanine (Billy) Hornung, Jackie (John) Lollar, Bernie Stegman, Juleen (Brian) Fox; grandchildren Darrell (Kristina) Hubbard, Diana (Sean) Thomas, Randy (Michelle) Marrone, Ricky Marrone, Lana (Andrew) Davis, Michele (Jesse) Cole, Kristopher Hubbard, Sabrina Hubbard, Megan Hubbard, Derek Hubbard, Dylan Hubbard; step grand-children, Karla, Tim, David, Kevin, Scott, Cari Jo, Kim, Joel, Kennedy, Danielle, Carol, Keith, Reanee, Darla, Diane, Karleen, Lance, John, Shawn, Andrea, Bonnie, Lori, Bobbie Jo, Robbie, Gus, Janea, John Travis, Amanda, Danielle, Katelyn, Heather, Jared, Jerome, Tim, Krista, Marissa, Mandee, Cami, Kelbi, Joni, Jessica, Kylee, Nichole, Brandon, Hannah, Holly, Ryan, Kyle, Kole, Paige, Louden, Rachel, Christian, Justina, Celine, Marshall, Andrea, Jett, Colton, Alexandra, Hayden, and Seth; and many great-grandchildren and many friends.

Some fifty years ago, maybe less, Sid and Harold Adolf made a deal. If Harold was still alive when Sid passed away, he would sing Sid’s favorite song, “The Auctioneer Song.” Harold has graciously volunteered to hold up his promise and will be singing at the graveside service.

Lunch will be served for family and friends at the Stratton Activities Center, 918 Colorado Ave., Stratton, Colorado.

Memorial donations can be made to the Stratton Fire Department or Stratton Ambulance Service and can be sent to Love Funeral Home, 377 15^th Street, Burlington, Colorado 80807 or TBK Bank, PO Box 286, Stratton, Colorado 80836.