Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Legacy Helping Others

Chief Master Sergeant Joseph W. Hubbard passed away unexpectedly on the afternoon of Jan. 6, 2014, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

Chief Hubbard was 41 years old, born on May 29, 1972, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Joe faithfully served his Lord and Savior, loved and adored his family, and invested his career in serving America and caring for airmen. He is survived by his wife, Karen; his daughter, Katherine; and his son, Joey. He is also survived by his father; his mother; two brothers; and two sisters.

Chief Hubbard entered the Air Force on Aug. 21, 1990, initially serving as a security specialist at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. In 1994 he transitioned into communications and computer system operations. Chief Hubbard's service included duty at Kunsan Air Base, Korea; KI Sawyer Air Force Base, Mich.; Robins Air Force Base, Ga.; Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.; Heidelberg, Germany; and Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. Additionally, he served as the Superintendent of the Secretary of the Air Force's Legislative Liaison Office at the Pentagon, and as the Superintendent of the 53d Test Management Group at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

Chief Hubbard earned a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in management from Park University and a Master of Business Administration degree, with honors, from Webster University. As Chief Hubbard does every day, he had spent Monday focusing his time, energy, and attention caring for the airmen of the 53d Test Management Group.

A viewing and visitation will be held at 10 a.m., on Monday, Jan. 13, at the First Baptist Church of Niceville, Fla., with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m.

An additional visitation and memorial service will be held at the Loudon Funeral Home in Loudon, Tenn., on Jan. 15, at 11 a.m., followed immediately by a burial with full military honors at Lakeview Cemetery in Lenoir City, Tenn.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Chief Hubbard's name to the Fisher House or the Bob Hope Village