HUBBARD, Virgil Gilmer

Vining Funeral Home, Safford, Arizona Virgil Gilmer Hubbard November 18, 1931 - September 2, 2012 Virgil Gilmer Hubbard was born November 18, 1931 in Graham, Arizona, a small town north of Safford. He attended Thatcher schools through eighth grade, until his family moved to California. Virgil then graduated from Delano High School in 1949, in Delano, California. In March 1951 he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Japan. While in the service, Virgil was a jet aircraft mechanic, and was honorably discharged in 1955. He then returned to the Gila Valley, and married Carol Carpenter from Eden on July 20, 1956 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. In 1957, Virgil graduated as an honor student from Eastern Arizona Junior College, and subsequently received his Bachelor of Arts in Education at Arizona State University in Tempe. He was an auto mechanics instructor at EAC for three years, then took a position as a canal company water master in Safford and next moved on to work as the Assistant Gila Water Commissioner for many years. In 1980, Virgil began working for Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation in Morenci in the Mechanical and Electrical Division, and later retired from Phelps Dodge. Virgil always worked hard and gave 100% to his employers. Virgil was gifted with anything mechanical or electrical and built several cars from junked cars & auto parts for his daughters and nephews. He always loved the Graham Mountains and hills surrounding the Gila Valley, and spent as much time as he could, exploring new areas and sharing those with his family and friends. For many of his younger years Virgil served as a Scout leader and Scout Master. During his retirement, he pursued his hobbies, which were nature photography, ceramics, painting nature scenery, bird watching, and making new friends at the Safford Senior Center. You could always count on Virgil to be helping and serving others in any way possible. Virgil is survived by: his five daughters, Diane Smith (David), Eileen Burgoyne (Edward), Karen Heder (Guy), Kelsey Armstrong (Joe), and Susan Smith (Steven); twenty grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren; a sister Charlene Paxton; and brothers, Emery Mac, Kenneth and Rex. Virgil was preceded in death by: his parents Emery “Buck” and Audrey Hubbard, Carol Carpenter Hubbard, and a brother Morgan Hubbard. Virgil passed away Sunday morning, September 2, 2012, at the Hospice Family Care in Gilbert, surrounded by his daughters. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Virgil Gilmer Hubbard please visit our Sympathy Store.