James H. Hubbard

James "Jim" Hubbard, 96, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Maple Park Village in Westfield, Indiana. He is survived by his daughter Ruth Hubbard. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lucy; his parents Clifford and Nettie Hubbard; and his three sisters Helen Hall, Louise Johnson, and Mardy Hubbard.

Jim was born in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was the youngest child in a family of three teenaged sisters. His father, Clifford, was 52, and his mother, Nettie, was 38 when he was born. He grew up in Omaha and graduated from South High School, where he was involved in the choir and ROTC. After a year at Omaha Bible Institute, he continued his education at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was there that Lucy asked him out for their first date during a Bethel tradition called Nik Dag. The couple married in 1952, marking the beginning of a partnership filled with love, faith, and service.

Jim went on to attend Bethel Seminary, where he and Lucy forged life-long friendships that would become a source of encouragement throughout their ministry. After seminary, Jim’s pastoral career spanned nearly four decades, during which he served congregations in five states:

• First Baptist Church, Cairo, Nebraska
• Kulm Baptist Church, Kulm, North Dakota
• Green Mountain Baptist Church, Lakewood, Colorado
• Elim Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois
• Faith Harmony Baptist Church, Zionsville, Indiana
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    • Jim's love for the people he pastored was evident. He was a kind, compassionate shepherd who cared deeply for his congregations and invested his life in teaching, preaching, and living out the Gospel. 
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    • Jim was a man who loved well. He cherished his wife, Lucy, whose partnership gave him courage and helped him live his best life. Together, they created a home marked by hospitality, love, and laughter, welcoming friends and family with open arms. His daughter, Ruth, was his delight, and he took great joy in supporting her many adventures, and the strong bond they maintained throughout his life.
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Most of all, Jim loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His life was a testament to his unwavering faith, and he found deep joy in serving the Church and sharing the message of the Gospel. His legacy of kindness, faithfulness, and generosity will be remembered by all who knew him.

Jim’s ashes will be interred at Lincoln Memory Garden during a private ceremony in the coming weeks.