John Morris Hubbard, founder of Oxford Hills Golf and Country Club, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2006. He was 90.
When the Rotary Club of Oxford surprised Hubbard with a ‘This is your life? presentation in November 2004, it was noted his children characterized him as ‘A man without limits, one who will tackle any project, loving, caring, giving, kind, friendly and comfortable to be around.?
‘He was a great man, a great asset to the community,? said Oakland County Commissioner and Rotarian Bill Patterson, who noted that although Hubbard was quite successful financially, he always remained ‘a down to earth guy.?
Described as ‘very warm? and ‘kind,? Hubbard was first and foremost a ‘gentleman,? according to Patterson.
A trained engineer by trade, Hubbard worked for General Motors Fisher Body from October 1942 through April 1974. When he retired at age 58, Hubbard was managing approximately 125 employees as the Senior Engineer in charge of the Production Engineering Department.
Outrageous green fees and long waits in line at a golf course in Goodrich coupled with his background and skills as an engineer convinced Hubbard to design and build a public golf course in Oxford using the 160 acres of vacant land he had purchased in 1959.
After purchasing an additional 40 acres adjacent to the original 160 to give him enough room for 18 holes, Hubbard constructed a home on the property to be near the project. He then went to work building the course in the early 1960s.
Hubbard studied golf course layout ideas at the library and often sought advice from golfing buddy Roland Alexander as he designed his new course.
By day, he worked full-time at Fisher Body. On nights, weekends and vacations, he drove the bulldozer that moved and molded the earth that we know today as the Oxford Hills Golf and Country Club.
‘He carved that golf course out of woods,? Patterson said. ‘He really was an ambitious son-of-a-gun.?
Hubbard completed the first nine holes by 1965. The second nine were finished in 1970.
Young golfers owe Hubbard a debt of gratitude for allowing the Oxford and Lake Orion high school golf teams to use his course for practice and competition free of charge ? something which continues to this day.
He also allowed Oxford cross country teams to host their annual invitational at the course free of charge, again, a practice which continues to this day.
An active member of the community, Hubbard was a member of the Rotary Club of Oxford for 26 years and a Paul Harris Fellow.
Hubbard was also a member of the Rochester Masonic Lodge #5, Rochester Shrine Club and Rochester Elks Club. He was a past member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Society of Engineering Illustrators and the Detroit Athletic Club.
A respected and valued member of the local business community, Hubbard was honored by the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce as the ‘Businessman of the Year? in 1991.
Beyond his professional success and community accolades, Hubbard was first and foremost a loving husband and devoted family man.
High school sweethearts at Pontiac High School (now Pontiac Central) in the early 1930s, Hubbard and his wife Virginia celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in June. The couple treated themselves for their 20th anniversary in 1985 with a flight to London on the Concorde and a return trip on the Queen Elizabeth 2 luxury liner.
The Hubbards? happy union resulted in two children, both of whom now run Oxford Hills, ensuring their father’s legacy lives on.
Although he didn’t attend the University of Michigan, Hubbard bled maize and blue. ‘John was a rabid Michigan football fan,? Patterson said. ‘He had season tickets for a good number of years. He and Virginia used to go to every home game as long as they were able.?
Hubbard is survived by daughter Nancy Kraft, son Bob (Kathy) Hubbard and grandchildren Ann (Hubbard) and Tim Offer, Kate, Beth and Clare Hubbard, Tom Kraft and Steve (Gina) Kraft. He’s also survived by sister Alice Holland and great grandchild Kai Kraft.
Visitation at Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors Bossardet Chapel is set for Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 28 from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Funeral will take place at the Bossardet Chapel (39 W. Burdick St.) on Friday, Sept. 29 at 2 p.m.
Memorials to Oxford United Methodist Church are appreciated.
Special thanks to Rotarian Bill Devine who’s ‘This is your life? research and presentation for Hubbard in November 2004 provided much of the information for this article. 1991.
Beyond his professional success and community accolades, Hubbard was first and foremost a loving husband and devoted family man.
High school sweethearts at Pontiac High School (now Pontiac Central) in the early 1930s, Hubbard and his wife Virginia celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in June. Their happy union resulted in two children, both of whom now run Oxford Hills, ensuring their father’s legacy lives on.
Although he didn’t attend the University of Michigan, Hubbard bled maize and blue.
‘John was a rabid Michigan football fan,? Patterson said. ‘He had season tickets for a good number of years. He and Virginia used to go to every home game as long as they were able.
Hubbard is survived by daughter Nancy Kraft, son Bob (Kathy) Hubbard and grandchildren Ann (Hubbard) and Tim Offer, Kate, Beth and Clare Hubbard, Tom Kraft and Steve (Gina) Kraft. He’s also survived by sister Alice Holland and great grandchild Kai Kraft.
Visitation at Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors Bossardet Chapel is set for Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 28 from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Funeral will take place at the Bossardet Chapel (39 W. Burdick St.) on Friday, Sept. 29 at 2 p.m.
Memorials to Oxford United Methodist Church are appreciated.
Special thanks to Rotarian Bill Devine who’s ‘This is your life? research and presentation for Hubbard in November 2004 provided much of the information for this article.