Gary Hubler Obituary

Gary Hubler attended Vallivue High School in Caldwell, ID. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Gary Hubler.

Graduation Year	Class of 1973
Date of Passing	Sep 14, 2007
About	Gary D. Hubler, 52 of Caldwell, died of injuries received in an air racing accident at the Reno Air Races on Friday, Sept. 14, 2007. A celebration of Gary's life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Idaho Center in Nampa. Private interment will be at Canyon Hill Cemetery in Caldwell. Services are under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. Gary was born June 14, 1955, at Caldwell, the son of William and Betty Hubler. He graduated from Vallivue High School where he met his future wife, Debra Jean. He learned to fly at the age of 17 and, after a brief career as a mechanic, became an aerial applicator, flying his first application job at the age of 21. He and Debra Jean were married on his 18th birthday and they had three wonderful children, Eric, Jon and then, after Debra Jean learned to fly, Becci. Gary worked for Clark's Air Service in Nampa until he and his father started Valley Air Service in 1980. He had been a partner with his father in the company since that time. His love of flying was the inspiration for him to become an instructor so that he could share his love and talent with others. Gary began air racing at the Reno Air Races in 1984. From 1984 to 1989 he flew Formula One planes in races for other people. In 1990 he built what would become the fastest Formula One plane in the world, "Mariah," which he raced to five consecutive national championships since 2002. Gary was a member of Quiet Birdmen, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the War Birds, and the National Air Transportation Assoc., along with other organizations and associations. Gary also flew in T-6 and unlimited classes at the Reno Air Races and other races around the country. Gary held too many ratings to mention from gliders to DC 3's, having flown more than 200 different planes. If it was to be flown, he flew it. Gary's career was flying, but his life was his family. He was a devoted husband, son, father and grandfather. He adored his four granddaughters. Gary is survived by his wife, Debra Jean; his parents, William and Betty Hubler; his children and their families, Eric and Genevieve Hubler and their children, Allison and Piper and Becci and Alex Wade and their children, Giselle and Evangeline; his brothers, Bob and Nelda Hubler, Terry and Sheila Hubler and Bruce and Becky Hubler and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Jon and a brother, Dan.