Edwin Earl Tubbs was born on November 5, 1948, and passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Bossier City, La on Sunday, May 7, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.
A visitation will be held from 6 until 8 pm on Friday, May 19, 2023 and a Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 2:00 pm, both at Hill Crest Funeral Home Chapel, 601 US-80, Haughton, La.
Edwin grew up in Sunset Acres where he met many of his lifelong friends. He would often tell entertaining stories to his girls and grandchildren. He considered it the best neighborhood for a mischievous boy and his sidekick. His interest in sports began at Oak Terrace Junior High where he played football and ran track.
Edwin was a proud 1967 graduate of Woodlawn High School where he excelled in the sport of football. He was an All-City, All-District Linebacker for the Knights and, along with many other accolades, was recognized as the Touchdown Club of Shreveport’s Outstanding Player of the Year in 1966. “#45 Edwin Tubbs” was often heard under the Friday night lights.
Immediately after graduating, Edwin enlisted in the United States Army and became a member of the elite 101st Airborne Division. He was deployed to Vietnam in December 1967 at the young age of 19. His courageous actions over the next year would be recognized with several military honors including a Purple Heart, Silver Star, 3 Bronze Stars and others. As a soldier, his dedication to his country and his brothers in the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry was second to none.
A love story for the ages, Edwin met and fell in love with Kathie Pollard just three months before leaving for the Army. When he returned to the States, 18 months later, he had his mind made up that he was going to propose. Edwin and Kathie were married on June 2, 1969, and began their 53 years of happiness together. They were blessed with 3 daughters that were his pride and joy. A successful carpenter, Edwin was a hardworking family man whose ultimate goal in life was to make sure his wife and girls were taken care of. It was important to Edwin that his girls became strong, independent women but instead he got strong-willed, hard headed, and opinionated “Tubbs Girls” and he loved every minute of it. Even when Alzheimer’s was taking its toll on his mind, he would often say, “I love my girls.” As the family grew to add 3 sons-in-law, 9 grandchildren, and 1 great-granddaughter, the closeness also grew. Some of Edwin’s proudest moments were when the whole family was together loud and laughing.
Edwin was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Woodrow Tubbs and Nova D Culver Tubbs; sister, Carolyn Tubbs Butscher; niece, Mary Grace Butscher McCoy; father-in-law, L. M. Pollard; mother-in-law, Verna M. Pollard; and lifelong best friend and sidekick, Ross Oglesby.
He will be lovingly remembered by the love of his life, his wife of 53 years, Kathie; daughters, Karen Guthrie and husband Tom, Kimberly Griffin and husband Chad, Kristen Rodgers and husband Josh; grandchildren, Devin, Tyler, Morgan, Carter, Makenna, Peyton, Wyatt, Brenden and Corey; great-granddaughter, Leighton; brother, Jerry Lee Tubbs and wife Linda; brother-in-law, Albert Butscher; sisters-in-law, Janet Pollard Chaney, and Patti Pollard Collette, and a host of family and an abundance of friends.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home, V. A. Hospital, and Christus Hospice for their exceptional care and compassionate support.
Honorary Pallbearers include Wally Hood, Lynn Presley, and the 1966 Woodlawn High School Football Team.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Edwin left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered. His sense of humor, his honesty, his loyalty, and his love for his family and friends will be greatly missed. ROLL TIDE ROLL
