Obituary of James Edwin Hubbartt

James Edwin Hubbartt, 94, passed away at home on April 12, 2019. He was born March 6, 1925 in Walnut Hill, Illinois. He was preceded in death by parents Daniel Hutchison Hubbartt and Elsie Peal Prosise and brother Donald Eugene Hubbartt.

He was blessed with a wonderful family and is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary Louise Hubbartt; his children Steven (Linda) Hubbartt, Beth Hubbartt, and Nancy (Joe) Muster; his grandchildren Daniel (Kristen) Hubbartt, John (Jessica) Hubbartt, David (Ashley) Hubbartt, Mary Muster, Jennifer Muster and Christina Muster; his great grandchildren James, Branon, Ava and Emma Hubbartt.

James early childhood was on a Dix Illinois farm during the great depression. He considered this period the most important part of his early education and experiences. He attended grade school in a one-room school house, then High School in Dix and Clay City Illinois. These experiences molded the man that never forgot the roots from which he was raised. He frequently returned to visit his childhood home, the family, and friends that were dear to him. James referred to himself as “one lucky, fortunate fellow”. He joined the US Navy Air Corps in 1943. He considered himself as “fortunate” to be selected by the Navy to attend college and pursued an education in Aeronautical Engineering. Shortly after graduating from Notre Dame, he was honorably discharged in 1946. Using the GI Bill, he continued his education attending Case Western Reserve and Purdue University to obtain a Masters in AE.

James professional career started with NACA, pre-NASA, in Cleveland OH. He joined Lockheed in 1955, working in California and Georgia. In 1960, he accepted a professorship in the Aerospace Engineering department at Georgia Institute of Technology. This became his “true” professional calling. He enjoyed teaching and training students to which some became astronauts. James retired in 1985.

He was “fortunate” in retirement and loved to continue learning, reading and staying active in the community. He enjoyed working on his home at Lake Hartwell, GA and having family and friends visit. He and his wife traveled in the US and several foreign countries occasionally taking one of their children. He learned square and round dancing and enjoyed traveling the SE to dance. An avid amateur golfer and Arnold Palmer fan, he frequently played golf with his wife and friends. A private memorial service will be held for family. Burial will be at Barrow Memorial Gardens near Winder, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

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