John Huebel

John Huebel of Lake Jackson died peacefully in his home on January 9, 2014. He was 94 years old at the time of his death. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on January 15 at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Jackson.

John was born in Columbus, TX to John and Annie (Struss) Huebel on March 27, 1919. He grew up in Glidden, TX where his father worked for Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railway Company as a switchman and switch foreman. After John’s father was killed in a railroad accident in 1926, John and his older brother, Leon, were raised by their mother in Glidden. He attended school in Columbus and was quarterback and co-captain for the Columbus Cardinal football team when they were 1935 district champions. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1936.

John Huebel was an Aggie! His older brother, Leon, graduated from A&M College of Texas in 1933 and paid for John’s tuition, room and board at A&M. John was Captain of Company “B” Chemical Warfare Service and graduated from A&M with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1940. Wooop! During his time at A&M, John met his future wife, Mary Katherine Adams, a student at Texas State College for Women in Denton.

After college, John was employed in the oil business in West Texas until December 10, 1941 when he was called into active duty following the attack on Pearl Harbor. As a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he served radar installations as an Aircraft Warning Officer in the Signal Corps and was stationed on the islands of Hawaii and Iwo Jima.

John and Mary K were married in Honey Grove, TX in March 1946 and they soon moved to Columbus where John managed his Uncle Willie’s movie theater and learned the movie business. In 1952, John and Mary K purchased the Lake Theatre, a movie house in Lake Jackson owned by Dow Chemical Company. As one of the first small business owners in Lake Jackson, John was well known by members of the community for his many contributions to the young city of Lake Jackson, including his many positive influences on the young people who attended movies at the theatre. Not only did John manage the behavior of movie goers during a Saturday matinee or on a date night, he also employed many area young people to pass out show circulars, take tickets, sell candy, or provide general operational support for the small business. After retiring from the movie business, John was often approached by people who began their conversations with words such as, “Mr. Huebel, do you remember when you advised me to… you taught me to… you ‘kicked’ me out of the theater for… ?” And, the conversations inevitably ended with “thank you.”

John was instrumental in the founding of Riverside Country Club and was especially proud of his work during the design of the number 11 hole of the golf course. He was an avid golfer who worked tirelessly to improve his skill. In his later life he would often “shoot his age” as he pursued this hobby. John loved competitive sports of all kinds and was a devoted fan of the Texas Aggies. He also was a passionate hunter. As a young boy, he learned to hunt with his Uncle Willie, and as an adult committed time and resources to this sport. He hunted with his core group of friends every year for decades, and organized the “family hunt” for his son, son-in-law, and grandsons. Regarding “the hunt,” one of his grandsons wrote, “getting up early… sitting around…eating leftovers… and getting advice. It was the little things that made the memory strong…the family strong.”

John was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Mary K Huebel , and his son, Robert Lee Huebel of Clear Lake. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Katy and Buzz Pruitt of College Station; his daughter-in-law Laura Huebel of Clear Lake; granddaughter Emily Johns and husband Chuck of Santa Clarita, CA; grandsons John Arlen Pruitt and wife Sandi of Dallas; Ross Huebel and wife Elizabeth of Anchorage, AK; Wilson Pruitt and wife Alina of Smithville, TX; and Adam Huebel and wife Danielle of Fordham, England. He is also survived by 5+ great-grandchildren— Maddie Johns and Macy Johns of Santa Clarita, CA, Rowan Pruitt of Dallas, Dominic Pruitt of Smithville, Madison Huebel of Fordham, England, and one Huebel on the way in Anchorage, AK.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Eva Moriel who provided loving care and devotion to both Mary K and John Huebel.

In lieu of flowers, John’s family request that donations be made to: First Presbyterian Church, 102 Yaupon, Lake Jackson, TX 77556.