Gary Lee Hubbard, P.E.

1947 - 2024

Gary Lee Hubbard, P.E, passed away on Thursday April 25, at the wonderful Lincoln home he and his loving wife, Sheila recently built. He was surrounded with love as he peacefully took his last breaths in a place his lifetime partner designed for him, that he truly "Loved everything about".

Gary was born on July 17, 1947, to Marion and Phyllis (Johnson) Hubbard in Lexington. He was the first of three children, and was later joined by two sisters, Joann Nelson and Jan Irwin. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1965 and then attended the University of Nebraska, studying electrical engineering. There he met his eventual wife of 50+ years, Sheila Hays, on a night neither one predicted, but neither one would ever forget.

The two settled in York, and built a life and home in an old craftsman house that was looking for new life. Gary and Sheila had three child and Brant. Gary instilled a strong sense of family in each of them, so much so, and probably to his chagrin, they immortalized it with matching tattoos.

Despite what he would likely have told anyone who asked, Gary loved children and babies. This is most evident by how he doted on his two Nebraska grandchildren, Liatris and Hubbard, from the day they were each born and also how excited he was to meet his most recent grandson, Clark. All of them love their GG.

The gift of sarcasm was never as heavily bestowed on anyone, nor the ability to deliver it with perfect neutrality. This led to great amusement for the entire Hubbard family as they would watch friends struggling to determine if Gary meant something he had said, or not. It even went so far as to confuse all of his children at different times, and in different ways, but with one of his sarcastic quips being taken as fact for nearly 30 years.

Gary had many accomplishments throughout his life, but probably none so impressive as to manage to keep his children, and wife, from ever seeing his upper lip. While its popularity has had ups and downs, Gary always stood strong with his mustache, just tweaking it periodically. He even eventually allowed Sheila to trim it!

While Gary derived most of his joy in life from people, vehicles did occupy his brain and hold a special place in his heart. Especially Chevy/GMC trucks. He inherited his dad's 1967 Chevy truck that we affectionately call "the red truck". Many from York will remember it with its HUBBARD personalized plates, that had been a father's day/birthday gift from the family one year. The '67 was joined by various other trucks throughout the years, including a white '71 that is going to be Sheila's "driver" now. He redid the red truck so nicely it really only could be driven on clear days when the temps were between 75-95 degrees and no chance of inclement weather. Of course, he would not finish the '71 due to the fact that Sheila said she would drive it to school. Though he said he did not like Sheila's toy of a Mitsubishi 3000 it was a bit comical that he always drove it when she was out of town.

One on one was where Gary really shined, as he was a dedicated and active listener. You could see this in action from him walking around York to talk to friends at their places of business, engaging with friends and family in his home, and also as a mentor in the teammates program. He could engage on any topic but some favorites were sports, stupidity of politicians, random facts he learned while talking to other friends, and updates on important people in his and others lives. Anyone who has shared a long conversation with Gary will understand this deeper than words can convey.

A blessed life of survival allowed Gary to make the lives of many people brighter for far longer than the medical field predicted. Though he would absolutely be described as a classic curmudgeon, he truly loved life, and those he cared about, none more so than his family. If he met you and liked you; you were then loved as family.

Gary's legacy will live on in hearts through his wife, children, and grandchildren, and spirit with all those who were fortunate to know him; in name through his two grandsons.

He is survived by his wife Sheila Hubbard of Lincoln; his children, Brooke Amanda Hay (John) of Palmyra, Brady Hays Hubbard of Ames, Iowa and Brant Clark Hubbard (Stephanie) of Boston, Mass. He is also survived by his sisters, Joann Nelson of Grand Island and Jan Irwin of Humphrey. Plus, an abundance of extended family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Marion and Phyllis Hubbard of Lexington; parents-in-laws, Bert and Mildred Hays of Giltner and brother-in-law, Will Hays.

A celebration of life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 309 E 7th Street, York on Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m. A light meal will follow. Gary has been cremated and there will be no viewing. However, visitation and signing of his book will be from 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 17 at Metz Mortuary, 109 S Lincoln Ave, York, with family present 4 - 7 p.m. There will also be an Open house at his Lincoln home on Saturday, May 18, 1-4 p.m., 6920 N 50th Place, Lincoln, NE, 68514. Memorials may be directed to York TeamMates, York Public Schools Foundation, Friends of Kilgore Memorial Library, or a local charity of your choosing. Condolences may be left for the family at metzmortuary.com. Metz Mortuary in York is handling arrangements.