The White Mountain Independent
Show Low, AZ 10/19/2007
Roland Hamblin died Oct. 12, 2007, in Safford.
He was born Oct. 19, 1920, in Eagar to Roland and Josephine Wiltbank Hamblin. At Round Valley he excelled in leadership, academics, music (played four instruments) and sports (lettered in three).
He worked cattle on his dad's and uncles' ranches. Summers, he worked for his Aunt Molly (Butler's Lodge) in Greer) as trail guide for guests and tourists, packing them on horseback up Mount Baldy.
As captain of the varsity football squad, he was the only player to remain on the field at halftime to march with the band. In college, he continued his scholarship (juris doctorate from the University of Arizona in 1948) and athletics (letterman in track for U of A).
During World War II he was commissioned in the Naval Air Corps in 1941 where he served in antisubmarine patrols flying off carriers in the Atlantic.
He married Ida Mae Whetten Friday, Aug 13, 1943, which brought them 64 years of extraordinary luck.
After the war and college, he was employed as an attorney and manager of the land department by El Paso Natural Gas, later El Paso Products Co. for 33 years.
After retirement he returned to Arizona, settling in Safford. He served as a bishop, stake president, mission president (Chile, Concepcion), missionary (Peoria, Ill.) and temple sealer for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He was preceded in death by his son, Roland; his granddaughter, Deena; and sister Ida Rohrer.
He is survived by his wife, Ida Mae Hamblin; three brothers, John Ray (Donna) Hamblin of Fruit Heights, Utah, Ellis (Pam) Hamblin of St. George, Utah, and Jacob Wayland (Quetta) Hamblin of Rio Rancho, N.M.; three daughters, JoAnn Thompson (Robert) of McKinney, Texas, Janelle Huber (Wayne, deceased) of Odessa, Texas, and Ida Nunley (Stan) of Safford; and his so,n Randolph Lamar Hamblin (Pamela) of Albuquerque, N.M.
His posterity includes 12 grandsons and five granddaughters, Matthew (Rebecca) and Marcus (Isaura) Patton; Rodd (Melonye), Errick (Amy), Jayson (April) and Ty (Jamie) Huber; Ron (Brigette), Daniel, John (Stephanie) and Travis Nunley; and Russell (Christina) and Ryan Hamblin; Molly (Brad) Eliason, Elizabeth (Tim) Siravo, Jennifer (Jesse) Anderson, Amanda Hamblin and Jessica Hamblin. He also has 21 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Oct. 15 in the Mount Graham LDS Chapel with interment in the Eagar Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the direction of Caldwell Funeral Chapel.