Hubert Sullivan, son of Joseph C. and Essie Mixon Sullivan, was born February 14, 1924, in Conecuh County near Castleberry. Hubert grew up with three brothers and one sister. He graduated from Conecuh County High School in 1943, and within two months was in the U.S. Army.
During his basic training, his Commanding Officer noticed how Hubert took his weapon apart and put it back together and then helped his comrades. His uncanny talent for fixing things was recognized right away and he was placed in charge of a special unit to keep weapons in repair. As a result of this special skill, he was sent to the front of the ETO as a Platoon Sergeant with the 251″ Engineer Combat Battalion. Across France and into Berlin, many times in the thick of battle, his unit sometimes provided the margin of victory. After the Armistice, the Army sent Hubert to an engineering school, Northern Polytechnic Institute in London, England. When he was released from military service in 1946 he returned home and enrolled in the University of Alabama, Mobile campus for one year with the G.I. Bill. In 1947, Hubert married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn Pate, and they moved to Tuscaloosa where Hubert continued to work toward his degree while Evelyn found work with her college degree in dietetics. Hubert received both B.A. and M.A. in Education and moved to the Anniston City School System as a teacher and assistant junior high principal. In 1954, Hubert brought his family to Opp where he served as Opp High School Principal. In 1959, Opp & Micolas Mill recruited Hubert to fill the position of Director of Human Resources and Industrial Relations, a position he held until his retirement in 1992.
The OHS Class of 1956 dedicated the High School Annual to Mr. Sullivan with these words: In his two years at Opp High School, Mr. Hubert T. Sullivan has become firmly established in the school community. His kindness, warmth, friendliness, and efficiency along with his sympathetic and understanding spirit make him a strong asset to our school and our town.
Hubert served as the Founding President of Opp-Micolas Educational Foundation, Inc. This Foundation awarded scholarships to 1,562 students between 1969 and 2007. Hubert has a strong religious faith and has served First United Methodist Church of Opp in so many ways. He has done anything from fixing a leaking faucet to teaching Sunday school and Chairing the Administrative Council or Committees. He has a strong passion for the Methodist Children’s Home. Hubert has been a leading participant in a myriad of service organizations, from local to state-wide. A representative list includes Opp Micolas Credit Union, Opp Medical Board, Alabama Textile Manufacturing Association, Alabama Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Alabama Lung Association, Associated Industrials of Alabama, Blue Cross – Blue Shield of Alabama. He placed a strong emphasis on health and welfare, employee benefits, workers compensation, unemployment compensation, and labor law; anything to benefit his people. He has been known to cut yards for widows and sick or disabled. He has built ramps, handrails, and painted as well as repaired houses for people in need. He is the oldest serving Rotarian and usually the first to volunteer for service projects. He has been honored with Rotary’s highest honor, Paul Harris Fellow.
Hubert’s wife Evelyn died of cancer in 1984. Hubert and Evelyn have two children: Dr. Joel Sullivan, a physician living in Montgomery and Linda Trippe, Assistant U.S. Attorney who resides in Birmingham. Hubert also has three stepchildren, as his wife Rebecca Sullivan had also been previously married.
Mr. Sullivan’s devotion to the responsibilities of citizenship stretches far and wide, but it is Opp where he chose to call home. He served his country with distinction and honor in WWII and his patriotism continues to shine as a beacon on a hill. As an Educator, his values found their way into the lives of many of this area’s young. His compassion and commitment to help his people sans recognition was evident during a long career. His devotion to church, the love of his family, and service to others are certainly exemplary and a worthy model. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
