Colonel George G. Hale Hubbard II

Colonel G. Hale Hubbard II

Augusta, GA – Colonel George Hale Hubbard II, U.S. Army (Retired), 88, passed away January 20, 2016, at GA War Veterans Nursing Home, Augusta, GA. Colonel Hubbard is survived by Jo Ann (Smith) Hubbard, his loving wife of 53 years. Jo Ann and Hale were married June 23, 1962, in her hometown of Cordele, GA. Jo Ann is a graduate of University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. Their son Trent Hale Hubbard, was born October 14, 1971, at Andrews Air Force Base, MD, and lives in Augusta.

In addition to his wife and son, family members include a daughter-in-law: Laura Sherrouse Hubbard, and granddaughter: Kate Campbell Hubbard.

Colonel Hubbard was born September 1, 1927, son of the late Douglas G. Hubbard of Versailles, MO, and Leah (Milburn) Hubbard, of Glensted, MO, who passed away in 1932. Hales father and mother had three children. His stepmother was Mary (MacKenzie) Hubbard of Versailles, MO. His two sisters who preceded him in death were Nancy Jane (Hubbard) Harrington of Houston, TX, and Betty Jo (Hubbard) Crosby of New York City. Hale had two nieces: Janice Ann (Harrington) Grant of Bullard, TX, and Harriette (Harrington) Habern of Rogers, AR and three nephews: George H. Harrington III of Houston, TX, Gordon E. Crosby III of Junction City, KA , and Douglas Hubbard Crosby of Atlanta, GA.

As a teenager, Colonel Hubbard joined the Boy Scout program in Versailles and became an Eagle Scout. After graduating from high school at Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington, MO, in 1945, he attended the University of Missouri for one year before entering the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY in 1946. He graduated in 1950, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, Infantry, in the United States Army. During his service career, he became qualified as a paratrooper and as an Army Ranger.

Colonel Hubbard’s four tours of overseas military service included: 3 years in Europe at Nurenberg and Berlin, Germany, (1950-53), a year in Korea (1956-57), a year in Vietnam (1969-70), and three years in Bangkok, Thailand (1973-76). Successive stateside assignments included: Ft. Benning, GA, Ft. Campbell, KY, Ft. Riley, KS., Thomaston, GA, Ft Leavenworth, KS, New Orleans, LA, Lawrence Radiation Laboratory in Livermore, CA, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, Ft. Bragg, NC, Ft. Bliss, TX, Washington, DC, and Ft. Gordon, GA. From July 1963 to July’65, he was assigned to Tulane University in New Orleans where he received a Master of Science Degree in Nuclear Physics, followed by a two year assignment at the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, as a nuclear physicist working on the design of a nuclear weapon.

January 31, 1980, after 30 years of service, he retired from the Army. He was recalled to active duty in 1989 for two weeks on a special project for the Department of the Army. In 1990, he was again recalled for another two weeks of specialized work for the Department of the Army. His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with “V” device, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Army Commendation Medal. Also he earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Parachute Badge, Ranger Tab, and numerous campaign ribbons and foreign awards.

In 1979, while serving at Ft. Gordon before his retirement on January 31, 1980, Colonel Hubbard joined West Lake Country Club, where he and Jo Ann quickly became active in Club programs. They moved into their new retirement home constructed near the first green of West Lake Country Club in Augusta. After retiring, Hale immersed himself in golf activities with the same energy and commitment he exercised in the Army. He devoted many years to the golf programs of West Lake Country Club and the Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA).

As a senior director in the state-wide junior golf program of GSGA, he rated golf courses in various areas of the state, worked with rules programs, and served on the GSGA Board of Directors (1989-2000) and Executive Committee (1992-94). Because of his long term service to the program, he was awarded Director Emeritus status.
Beginning in 1990, for three years he was a member of the West Lake Board of Directors. Until the past few years, he was an active member and golfer at West Lake Country Club.

He was a member of the American Legion, the Military Officers of America Association, Xi Xi Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity at the University of Missouri, and the West Point Society.

Colonel Hubbard was a soldier who lived a life of service to others and will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his community and his adopted state. He was well known for his honesty and integrity and for the fair manner in which he treated all those with whom he came in contact . He was the epitome of an American soldier. He was professional, disciplined, and committed to the security and freedom of his country.

An inurnment service will be held at the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery, with full military honors, at a later date.

If so desired, memorial contributions may be directed to Georgia State Golf Association Foundation, Yates Scholarship Program, 121 Village Parkway, Building 3, Marietta, GA, 30067 or Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, c/o Patient Benefit Fund, 1101 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30901-3196

The family will receive friends Saturday, January 23, 2016, from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com