James “Ben” Hubbard, age 90, of Montevallo, Alabama passed away on Monday, December 18, 2023. Ben served in the US Air Force and US Army as a paratrooper and Green Beret. He retired from NASA as a machinist and was an auxiliary State Trooper for four years. Following retirement from NASA, he worked every day as a gunsmith until very recently. Ben was a Mason since 1966 and served in lodges in Huntsville, Columbiana and Montevallo. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer. He will be terribly missed by all who knew him.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Liza Hubbard; son, Benny Hubbard; wife, Joyce Hubbard; sisters, Ollie Mae Sutton, Opal Bolton and Louise Hornbuckle; and brother, Thurmon Hubbard.

He is survived by his son, Randy Hubbard (Shannon); daughter, Wanda Hubbard; step-son, Kenneth Morgan (Kelly); step-daughters, Susan Michael and Tammy Godbold (Edward); brothers, Buddy Hubbard (June) and Horace Hubbard; sister, Lola Bryant; grandchildren, Brandon Hubbard (Marah), Steven Michael, Daniel Michael, Calley Middlebrooks (Joey), Edward Goldbold (Erin), Mandy Rigney (Cole), Melissa Yarborough, Meredith Morgan, Jamie Saare (Jimbo) and Hailey Hubbard; 21 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Celebration of Ben’s Life will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Rockco Funeral Home (Montevallo), with visitation to begin at 10:00 AM. Pastor Keith Jones will officiate.

Additional visitation will be Friday 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at New Hope Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at New Hope Funeral Home Chapel, Saturday at 11:00 AM with Bro. Harold Kelly officiating.

Interment will follow in Walker Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations be directed to Masonic Lodge South Shelby Lodge #140.