(Aug. 9, 2006)
Family graveside services Saturday, Aug. 19 in Joliet, Mont., will celebrate the life of Max A. Hubbell, who died Wednesday, Aug. 9.
He was born April 4, 1915, the third of eight children born to Guy and Carrie Hubbell. Growing up on the family homestead in Cowley his two younger brothers always thought of him as one heck of a horse trader. He graduated in 1933 from Cowley High School where he excelled at football. He declined a football scholarship to the University of Wyoming due to a knee injury.
After graduation, he worked in the local area until he and Gail George rode the rails to Washington State to work. Returning to Wyoming, he met the perfect woman for him, Margaret Mary Daley. They were married January 4, 1939 in Thermopolis. That same year he began his career as a bus driver for Trailways Bus Line. He and his wife lived in Casper and Cheyenne before moving to Joliet, Mont., in 1974.
After 40 years of driving, and having received the 2 million mile safe driving award, Max retired. When not tending his beautiful garden and trees, he and his wife enjoyed retirement out on their boat fishing, camping in the mountains and spending the winters in Arizona with their family. Margaret, the love of his life, died in 1989. He moved to Powell in 1992 to be closer to his brother and two sisters.
Carrying on the Hubbell tradition of storytelling, he brought many hours of laughter to those fortunate enough to spend time with him. His sense of humor was unmatched and his ability to play practical jokes on anyone and everyone at anytime kept family and friends on their toes. Max was also filled with a kindness, compassion and humble generosity that became life lessons for all that knew him.
He is survived by his son Mickey Hubbell (Laurie) of Evergreen, Colo., and their four children; daughter Paddy Havens (Bruce) of Tulsa, Okla., and their three children; numerous great-grandchildren; sisters Helen (Ernest) Rank of Upton, Clorous (Bill) Franks and Doris (Bill) Ross; sister-in-law Audrey Hubbell of Powell; and brother Guy (Lee) Hubbell of Kerrville, Texas.
His wife, parents, brothers Grant and Jack, and sister, Marvell Lookhart, preceded him in death.
Cremation has taken place and interment will be in Joliet next to his wife.