John A. Hamblin
John A. Hamblin (62) lost his battle to cancer in the early hours of Tuesday, January 31, 2023. He died at his home with his husband of 27 years, Jim Chamberlain and their cats: Spot, Bill, Buttons, and Ms. Lady.
John lived a full life where he worked for many years at Maritz; AT&T; and more recently for Home Depot before retiring. He was well respected and admired by his colleagues and was friends with many of them outside of work.
John was a passionate runner and participated in a number of marathons throughout the United States representing St. Louis Frontrunners—where he served as their treasurer for a number of years.
John was the youngest son of William and Frances Hamblin. John’s siblings include: Patricia Hamblin; Bill Hamblin (wife Pat); Rick Hamblin (wife Betty); Mary Hamblin-Johnston (husband John); Shelly Hamblin-Quick (husband Mike); Mike Hamblin (fiancé Rita Stonecipher). John was also the uncle of many, many nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews, and great-great nieces & nephews.
John’s extended family included his father/mother in-law: Gary and Rose Mary Chamberlain. His brother/sister in-laws include: Patricia and LaDon Atkinson (children Lizabeth and Levi); Scott and Lisa Chamberlain; Greg and Molly Chamberlain (children Conner, Lexi, Carter, and Anna).
A memorial service will take place on Saturday, March 4, 2023 @ 2:00 p.m., with the fellowship immediately following the service.
Lafayette Park United Methodist Church
2300 Lafayette Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63104
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations in John’s memory be sent to:
Lafayette Park United Methodist Church, 2300 Lafayette Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104
Humane Society of Missouri
St. Louis Children’s Hospital
John was a wonderful friend and cherished running partner. He could light up a room with his infectious smile and laughter. We loved him dearly and will miss him always.
John will be missed at Lafayette Park United Methodist Church He had an infectious smile, even if he was not feeling great. He was a faithful servant as an example of Christ in the world.
I have many memories of John being the first person to walk or run with each newcomer of St. Louis Frontrunners. He was genuinely welcoming and kind. He offered connection and kinship to so many of us.
Godspeed my dear husband, Godspeed!
You were my second husband but by far the best! You will be missed more than you will ever know. (But I am not going to lie, the house is so much cleaner and organized now. — Sorry! Just sayin’) 😉
I feel fortunate to have you as my friend. I am so proud of how stoic you have been throughout your medical battles. You are an inspiration. I am honored to have gotten to know you and have you share your impressive, heroic battle with the various facets of your cancer and your heart transplant. You are missed. Rest in peace.
I met John while working at Maritz. He was a great friend and co-worker. We had a lot of fun together. He will be missed.
I first met John at Maritz when he started working there..he was put in the cubicle right next to me. He became a great friend and I always teased him that he was the baby brother I never wanted which made him laugh. He was the kind of friend who was so easy to talk to because he listened and cared.. Such a fighter with the heart transplant and cancer. I will miss him terribly 😢
As John’s former husband, I have to admit that I will not miss his driving. At times he scared the bejesus out of me when I rode in the car with him. John was an aggressive go getter behind the wheel, but he got us where we needed to go really fast. So there you go! LOL! Actually, he probably should have drove for Lyft! Godspeed my dear husband! Godspeed indeed! (FYI… the cats send their regards.)
With his life celebration of life this weekend I just want to take a moment to reflect. I met John almost 20 years ago at church. Along with a group of friends we all became very close. He was a very determined and enthusiastic person. He loved his friends and family and of course his ‘family’ of runners. I have never met such a fighter. We are all in awe of his optimism. You will be missed dear friend, rest in peace.
I’m thankful John and I crossed paths at church over 20 years ago. We cemented a friendship through brunches, happy hours, trips and walks in Forest Park. A kind man with energy and determination. His sharp tongue with comments could make me laugh. He was a positive force in dealing with obstacles. Peace my friend.
John was the 1st person I met at the 40-year reunion weekend in 2019 with my wife Tibby Wyner.
John and Jim were so much fun!
They’re the Sweetest, Most Authentic people I’ve met in a very long time.
Grateful to know them.
John is not gone….. He is just away… RIP John Hamblin
What a huge loss. Such a nice caring person. We were blessed to have him be a part of our lives. He is truly going to be missed.
John, It was so fantastic getting to know you through the CHS Happy Hours. You were always there to help when we needed class help and BBQ tastings. You and Jim brought THE BEST appetizers to the CHS Holiday gathering!! I miss you already!
Dear Late Husband:
FYI… I found a gift card to Longhorn Steakhouse in your belongings… it was made out to my Dad, so mailing it to him tomorrow. I am sure he will be happy to receive it, so thank you on his behalf. Actually… I am finding a lot of crazy sh*t in your belongings. Even in your death, I am still picking up after you. It’s never ending. Messy, messy, messy… So yes, still thinking of you. Judging on what I have left to do, I will be thinking of you for quite some time.
Also, I sold your car yesterday. I sold it to the dealership you were using toward the end of your life. I figured it made sense to sell it to them as they have a history with the car. They did indeed remember the vehicle (and you), gave me a decent price. I told the dealership you were always happy with their service, and I thanked them on your behalf. (Of course, I have no idea if you truly like them or not… but the man had just handed me a decent check so I felt obligated to say something nice.) I will use the money to pay your remaining medical bills.
In the afterlife… if you happen to run into my first deceased husband, can you kindly give him my regards. Oddly, I was thinking of him today. He was so many years ago and one the early casualties of the HIV epidemic. I did not care for him much, but no need to be rude. So just give him a quick nod and hello from me… if you do not mind and happen to pass him. I am sure he will be grateful that I still think of him. His name is Daniel.
Nothing much else to report… Hope you are doing well, and I hope you are running into our earlier deceased cats! If you do, please give them my love and lots of kisses. I do miss them so!
Speak later (but hopefully not soon! LOL) Sorry, could not resist that pun… and our current living cats send their love too!
Regards,
Jim
Dear Late Husband:
Tonight I went to the Cat’s Meow Bar… I got drunk and when I got home, I did not enter the alarm code correctly… and the alarm went off for a long time! I am so glad you are dead, because if you were alive and asleep when I did that, you would have lost you mind!! LOL! I had to call the alarm company to get it shut off. I went into the back yard to make the call, because I couldn’t hear otherwise. They finally shut it off!
So funny! I immediately thought of you when the alarm started blasting! You would have lost your mind if you had been asleep when I did that. LOL!
I miss you… as do the cats. Hope you are doing well. I have soooo much gossip to catch you up on! Lordy! Tons of it! I hope when I die, we will see each other then. I’m not really sure how that all works? I hope you are doing well.
Speak soon?? Now that’s a question!
Blue skies!
I learned of John’s passing just as I was about to wish him a happy birthday in October 2023. My deep condolences to the family and friends who spent frequent time with him and miss his daily energy. My most recent memory of John was at his nuptials with Jim Chamberlain in 2016, a long-awaited confirmation of the love and commitment they shared for over 20 years before making it “legal.” What a large, fun party that embraced not only the happy couple, but the friends and relatives in attendance! From the “Hillary!” stickers they urged us to wear as we entered the ballroom, to the buffet bursting with delicious treats, to the lively conversations among friends and strangers, to the couple’s first dance, it was an event that I will always remember warmly and fondly. It was a joy to review the photos I took at that event just 6 1/2 years later. I am grateful to have known John, even fleetingly, to have followed his progress on running half-marathons on Facebook, and to have observed his heartfelt (literally!) love for Jim, for his closest family and friends, for living each day well. John, may you experience peace, joy, and excellent company in your next adventure! Much love.