Hubert Phillip Romero

A celebration of Hubert’s life will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 2:00 pm at his home “Serenity”. He passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at the age of 87.
Hubert Phillip Romero was born on November 9, 1927 in Kaplan, LA. He was the son of Mayo Romero and Laurence Dartez Romero. As an infant, the family moved to Iberia Parish, where his father purchased Hulton Plantation. There, Hubert grew up and learned the values of hard work by living and working on the family farm and ultimately becoming a farmer working on his own and in conjunction with the operations of Hulton Plantation. It was here he developed his love for the outdoors, hunting and fishing. Hubert was a hell of a shot and a wizard with a fly rod. Out of necessity he also became a pilot and was responsible for crop dusting the rice fields. Of course, the plane also came in handy for his adventurous spirit. Hubert was known for low fly-bys at public and family events, landing on public roadways and flying between the power lines to land in cow pastures. He was instrumental in bringing soybean farming to the region and worked closely with companies such as Anheuser-Busch to develop local rice markets while associated with the LA Rice Growers Association. During this time, Hubert also traveled the United States as a racehorse trainer and owner.
He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War as an infantryman, with the Tropic Lighting Division. He experienced combat in the bitter cold of Korea and is decorated for that service. During his service Hubert also spent time as a Drill Instructor; but the duty he enjoyed most was the time he spent as lifeguard at the military pool stateside. Those who knew him well understand the reason behind him enjoying this role so much.
In the mid 1960’s Hubert made a career change, left Iberia Parish and ultimately landed in Lafayette and formed his own investigative firm, one of the first firms of its type in Lafayette. Today, that firm, HUB Enterprises, Inc., is one of the largest risk mitigation companies nationally with staff throughout the United States.
Hubert had a passion for raising things, from different breeds of hunting dogs, show cattle and exotic birds to fruit orchards, fish ponds and gardens large enough to feed small armies. Not to mention tomatoes and more tomatoes. So many tomatoes he set up ‘Hubert’s Tomatoes on Ambassador’ to share his bounty with others and meet new people. It was not unusual for Hubert to plant over 1,000 tomato plants. I know…pretty amazing.
He lived life to its fullest, without hesitation and without looking back, full steam ahead. If there was anything left on Hubert’s bucket list, it was only because he ran out of time. He will be remembered by many as having the smile of a rascal, with a thin, white-tipped cigar in his mouth, a mighty gleam in his eyes, standing in front of a Magnalite pot (and he always said CREATING, not cooking) one of his famous meals for friends and family. Hubert called it “Camp Food” but that cannot begin to describe the experience. He touched many lives in his 87 years and everyone has a story to tell about their memory of him and every story starts with a smile or a chuckle.
Hubert is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Ira Jane; son, Chip and his wife, Ali; three grandchildren, Jacob and Tyler Romero and Brandi O’Brien and her husband, Ryan; two great-granddaughters, Piper and Penelope; brother, Glenn and his wife, Betty and all the loving nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mayo Romero and Laurence Dartez Dekens and three sons, Rebel, Ryan and Cody Romero.
The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and doctors of Lafayette Heart Hospital for the kindness, compassion and gentle care.
Memorial gifts in Hubert’s name, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 58517, Topeka, KS 66675, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Online obituary and guest book may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com.
Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1010 Pandora St., (337) 981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.