Johnny Ray Hubbard

Johnny Ray Hubbard, 83, of Newport departed this life June 14, 2014. He was born May 22, 1931 to Verdie and Eula (Winemiller) Hubbard. He was a member of Airbase Church of Christ. Johnny Ray was a natural when it came to music and he loved being in front of an audience. They say he was a crowd pleaser, he loved people and the people all loved him. In 1949 Johnny Ray, Sonny Burgess, A.L. Wilson, Fred Wanard, Kern Kennedy, and Gerald Jackson had a 30-minute radio show on KNBY. Fred left in 1951 and moved to California, changed his name to Freddie Hart and wrote (Easy Lovin). Johnny Ray, Sonny Burgess, Kern Kennedy, Jack Nance, Joe Lewis and Russ Smith were playing at Bob Kings, Silver Moon and other places as the Moon Lighters. Joe Lewis came up with the name The Pacers (named after the Pacer airplane). At this time, they became Sonny Burgess and The Pacers. In 1955 The Pacers opened for Elvis four times, Elvis told The Pacers to go see Sam Phillips at Sun Record in Memphis and in 1956 The Pacers cut their first record, Red Headed Woman and We Wanna Boogie. Johnny Ray continued to play with the Pacers until the mid 60's. He always talked about the memories made with The Pacers and will be sorely missed by all. Mr. Hubbard was preceded in death by one son; Dennis Hubbard, one sister; Eunice Tackett, and parents. He is survived by his wife; JoAnn Hubbard of Newport, one son; Ronnie Hubbard and wife Jackie of Newport, one grandson that Johnny Ray and JoAnn raised; Dennis Hubbard II, one sister; Dianne Riley of Tuckerman, one sister-in-law; Janie Henson and husband Mert of Louisiana, five grandchildren; Dennis Hubbard, II (Jennifer Miller), Randy Newberry, Brittney Hubbard, Dalton Hubbard, and Cameron Hubbard, and five great-grandchildren; Sara Jones, Kara Hubbard, Dakota Hubbard, Hayley Newberry and Josie Newberry. Pallbearers will be Danny Doss, Craig Dunn, Benny Payne, Danny Allen, Teddy Evans, and Ricky Baker. Honorary Pallbearers will be Sonny Burgess and The Pacer's, Tony Adkins, Lynn Dawson, Bobby Crafford, Kern Kennedy, Jim Aldrege, Fred Douglas and Norandal Employees. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at Air Base Church of Christ. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2014. Arrangements by Dillinger Funeral Home. www.dillingerfuneralhome.com.