Albert Stubbs

Memorial remembrance services for Albert A. Stubbs, 85 will be conducted at 3:00 pm Saturday October 10, 2009 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Roswell. Stubbs was a long time newspaperman in New Mexico who passed away October 4, 2009 with his family by his side.

A native of Roswell, Al leaves his wife of 65 years Florence Caryl Sterrett Stubbs whom he married three days before he left to serve his country in 1944. He also is survived by three children Bruce Stubbs and wife Judy of Roswell, Charles Stubbs and wife Judy of Tijeras and Caryl Avery of La Luz. Seven grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren also survive him as do his sisters Jean Stubbs Schwert and Shirley Stubbs Spencer.

Stubbs was associated with the Roswell Daily Record for 25 years, 19 of which he served as editor when he retired in 1974. He also enjoyed being editor for other papers including the Lincoln County News, Alamogordo Daily News, and the Ruidoso News. After retiring from the Record, Al served as Development Officer for Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell and was a realtor with KC Realty in Ruidoso.

After serving with the Army Air Corps 410th Bomb Group in Europe during World War II, Stubbs graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1948. Of his interest in journalism Al said The spark was lit, when as a High School student, I dropped into the Record newsroom on December 7, 1941 and watched the story come in over the AP wire.

Al also honored his commitment to his community by serving as elder, deacon and trustee at various times in the First Presbyterian Church, Board member of the Eastern New Mexico State Fair and as President of Roswell Rotary Club. In 1966, Stubbs was elected President of the New Mexico Press Association, and in 1987, he was selected to be in the New Mexico Press Association Hall of Fame. Stubbs editorial writing earned him the distinction of being the only New Mexican to win the Associated Press editorial writing award three years in a row form 1960 to 1962. At one time while editor in Roswell he served as Civil Defense Director for Roswell. On July 30, 1974, the newspaper held Al Stubbs Day and co-workers and friends recognized his accomplishments and presented him with a special Al Stubbs issue of the paper.

But perhaps Al is best known for his editorial column, which became the gauge for community issues. Some of those local issues included getting Eastern New Mexico Medical Center built. His editing also helped the Daily Record earn top general excellence awards in 1965, 1967 and 1974. Al Stubbs said of his days in the reporting business He would like to be remembered as a person who carried fairness and objectivity as a personal philosophy.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the ENMU-R Foundation, PO Box 6000 Roswell, NM 88202.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com
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