Hubert Alfred Doten

Hubert Alfred Doten, also known to all his family and friends as "Chili" passed away from cancer on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at his residence in Yuma. He was 85 years old. He was born November 3, 1923 in Yuma. He was a 1941 graduate of Yuma High School. He was on the Yuma High Criminal championship baseball team that defeated the Phoenix Union Coyotes for the West Central Division Championship. A classic David versus Goliath battle which Yuma High School won. He loved baseball and sports his entire life. He was a medic and veteran of World War II. He was inducted into the Army for WWII on January 3, 1943 in Phoenix, Arizona. It was during his induction in Phoenix when he saw and fell in love at first sight with Genevieve Chavez. He saw the love of his life through a window at a store where she was working, and told his friend there is the woman I am going to marry. He had a friend make the introductions as was customary at that time. Their courtship had to be done by mail since he was shipping out right away. He must have been quite a writer because they were married in Phoenix on his first 45 day furlough from the war on July 16, 1945. The war ended shortly after and he did not have to go back to active duty. He was honorably discharged on October 17, 1945. They settled in Yuma and went on to have six children, five boys and one girl. He was married for 63 years to Genevieve. He returned to work for the Bureau of Reclamation and retired from there in 1980 after 37 years of service. After retirement he went on to become a gentleman citrus farmer. Chili loved the outdoors and adventures. He always loved to take his family camping every summer. This is a tradition carried on by many of his children. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife to Mexico and Europe. In Europe they especially enjoyed visiting Rome and The Vatican. He was a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church for many years. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E) 398, where he was a past secretary for seven years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and also a past President. He was a past Boy Scouts Troop 55 leader and also a past Assistant Scout Master. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 19 for 61 years. Chili is survived by his loving wife, Genevieve Doten; his children and their spouses, George and Mary Doten of Phoenix, Kenny and Penny Doten and Gene and Maria Doten of Yuma, Larry and Barbara Doten of Long Beach, California, Julie Doten and David Borunda of La Mesa, California and Dennis and Connie Doten of Bakersfield, California. He is also survived by his brother, Albert Doten and his sister, Alice Corsello both of Yuma, and brother, William Doten of Spokane, Washington; 15 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Lupe Doten; his brother, Johnny Doten; his nephews, Albert P. Doten and Christopher V. Doten. A wake will be at Johnson Mortuary on Monday, December 29, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with rosary recited at 7 p.m. Mass will be at Immaculate Conception Church on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 10 a.m. with burial following at Desert Lawn Memorial Park. Reception will follow at the Eagles Club on 225 S. 1st Avenue. Pallbearers are Steven Doten, Anthony Doten, Adam Doten, Matthew Doten, Andrew Doten, and Christopher Borunda. Honorary Pallbearers are Tom Coz, Lionel Daniel, Bill Steiert, and Joe Corsello.