John Wesley Tubbs passed away on April 20, 2025, with loved ones by his side. He was preceded in death by his son, John Jr.; his parents, and eight siblings.
He was born in Greensboro, Alabama, in 1940, the youngest son of Ullman Sr. and Mattie Tubbs. He attended church with his family and believed in God. It was clear early on that he was born to be a hard worker, a giver, and provider. He worked to help his parents buy school clothes for his siblings. After his father’s death, John chopped down trees to help provide for the family. In 1963, he moved to Fort Wayne, along with his older sister and her family. To make ends meet, he shined cars at Mike’s Carwash and drove taxis, before securing a job with Lincoln Foodservice. He retired from Lincoln after 44 years of service when the local plant closed in 2013.
Shortly after arriving in Fort Wayne, John and some friends went to a house party on Masterson Street. He immediately took a liking to one of the hosts in a black sheath dress. It didn’t take long before he was visiting that home often to see his new sweetheart, Julia Page. The couple wed in a quaint ceremony in 1965. They settled in a home near downtown Fort Wayne. Over the years, they hosted several loved ones who also migrated north from Alabama. John was a father and a giver who prided himself inbeing someone his family, friends, and neighbors could lean on in times of need.
Those who knew John couldn’t miss his knack for working with his hands. For years, he tilled ground for a garden, growing fresh collard greens, tomatoes, and even corn. Of course, he gave much of the harvest to relatives and neighbors. He fixed cars and electronics and took on household projects. From renovating the bathroom, installing French doors to create his private mancave, mowing and landscaping the yard, building his own barbecue grill, or refinishing a dining room bench, John Tubbs did it. He stockpiled maps and drove the family on road trips for annual reunions. His beloved blues songs would play from eight tracks the whole way, especially B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Betty Wright
Some may not know, however, that John also enjoyed quiet afternoons reading books, often westerns by Louis L’Amour. He also cherished spiritual sing-a-longs with his immediate family. His favorite part came when his wife sang, and he could sing baritone as backup to her high soprano. He made up nicknames for his wife and children, such as Shawty, T-Boe, Short-shang, and Baby Turk. In his latter years, he preferred some form of “Baby Doll” or “Baby Dear” for just about every female he met. Until his last days, he relished telling stories of his native Alabama and remembering the good times he spent there. Although his earthly years have ended, his legacy of loving others through his generosity and providing for them lives on. He will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife, Julia; three daughters, Shellie Carter (Mansfield, OH), Deborah York (Indianapolis), and Sharon Tubbs (Fort Wayne); one son, Arbra Tubbs (Indianapolis); five grandchildren, Tamesha Carter, Aaron (Fatima) Hopson Jr., Arbra Tubbs Jr., David York Jr., and Nile Tubbs; two great-grandchildren, Annabella Olateju and Genesis Hopson; two stepchildren, Cornelious Page and Teressa Davis (both of Dallas, TX); and a host of other loved ones.