Howard (Bud) Walter Hubbard, 92, was born to Blanche Gertrude Banks and Vergil A. Hubbard on March 16, 1921. Bud weighed 10 pounds at birth. He was born at home like most babies were at that time. On June 29, 1925, a sister, Vernyce Viola (Toni) joined the family. Then on February 21, 1928, Norma Jean joined the family. Around this time Blanche and Vergil decided to end their marriage. Blanche worked hard to support her young family. She baked pies for a local café and worked as a waitress. Life was hard. The stock market crashed! The Great Depression hit. People lost their life savings, their farms, homes and jobs. Blanche continued to try to support her young family. On August 6, 1930, she died. Her children were told her death was due to blood clots. Her legs often hurt her terribly. It wasn't until the fall of 1970 that her children learned she died from complications of childbirth. They had a younger sister! Patricia Jean was born July 13, 1930. She had been adopted by another family after the death of Blanche. She found her way to Bud, Toni, and Norma Jean. Bud, Toni and Norma Jean lived with an aunt and uncle, Ruth and Cecil VanMeter after the death of their mother. Life was very hard. They had lost their mother and now lived with an aunt and uncle. They helped out on the farm and went to school. Bud went to Blue Hill Public Schools, Blue Hill, Nebraska and Wildcat School, Yuma County. Bud had to drop out of school after the 8th grade to help support his sisters' and himself. Bud may not have had a formal education, but he was a self educated man. He could fix anything and seemed to know a lot about almost anything. What he didn't know, he would learn. At the age of 18, he joined the CCC - Civilian Conservation Corp, Sterling Colorado. He served as an Enlisted-Assistant leader. January 1, 1942, Bud joined the U.S. Navy and volunteered for submarine duty. He was discharged December 1945. His rank was Motor Machinist 1st Class. Following the service Bud operated a garage at Arickaree, Colorado, was also a farm implement mechanic in Otis, worked in Fort Morgan as a mechanic at Midwest Implement for 25 years and retired March 1, 1986 after serving as a fire dispatcher at the Fort Morgan Fire Department for 11 years. August 1, 1952, Bud married Mildred Ruth Becker. She brought into this marriage a daughter, Virginia (Vicky), from a previous marriage. May 4, 1953, Carol Ann was born into this family. Rita Annette followed 2 years later on September 4, 1955. January 1, 1956, Bud moved his family into a new house at 501 Circle Dr. in Fort Morgan. After renting a house for years, they were buying a brand new house! It had 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, a carport and was about 960 sq ft of living space. They were so excited! December 15, 1960, Aleta Jean (named after a wonderful longtime friend of the family and later to become Bud's wife) was born. Bud's family was complete. The times were never easy. Bud worked long hard hours to provide for his family. There was little left for extras, but the girls never went without. There was always lots of love. Bud's daughters married and started families of their own. Just as life was getting easier, Mildred, the mother of his girls, died suddenly of a heart attack on September 11, 1982. Bud was devastated. Aleta Sager, longtime family friend, helped give him strength, encouragement and led him to church. Once again his life changed. Aleta and Bud fell in love! They married June 19, 1983 with the blessing of his girls. Bud and Aleta have a wonderful marriage. Their families, having grown up together, welcomed this marriage. Life was never easy for Bud. He had many hard trying times. He never complained. He just kept on going. He has had many blessings. He thanks the Lord daily for these blessings. Bud was a member of the First Baptist Church and served as trustee for many years. Bud is survived by his wife, Aleta; daughters, Carol Cox and husband, Ken of Log Lane Village; Rita Hunt and husband, Jim of Fort Morgan; Aleta Gooch and husband, Duane of Briggsdale; stepchildren, Virginia Null of Fort Morgan, Melody Jorstad of Fort Morgan, Richard Sager of Berryville, AR, 5 grandchildren; Bryan Cox of Missouri, Mike Cox of Fort Morgan, Mitch Cox of Brush, Becky Miller of Briggsdale, Erin Winters of LaSalle, and 18 great grandchildren. He is also survived by 2 sisters; Toni Rosynek of West Bend, WI and Norma Jean Dresen of Yuma, step grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Mildred, and sister, Patricia. Memorial Services will be August, 6, 2013 at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Fort Morgan. Inurnment will follow in Memory Gardens. Family and friends are invited to the church at 12:00 noon, prior to the service for lunch. Memorials donations may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund or the Salvation Army in care of the Heer Mortuary in Ft. Morgan.