CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: Rev. James Hamblin (January 21, 1936 – April 4, 2025)
CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: Rev. James Hamblin (January 21, 1936 – April 4, 2025)
VISITATION:
Monday, April 7, 2025 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
Engle-Bowling Funeral Home
301 EAST MAIN STREET, Hazard, KY 41701-1922
FUNERAL SERVICE:
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 2:00 PM ET
Engle-Bowling Funeral Home
301 EAST MAIN STREET, Hazard, KY 41701-1922
https://www.englebowlingfuneralhome.com/obituary/rev-james-hamblin
Rev. James Hamblin born January 21, 1936 on Campbell’s Creek to Taylor & Lydia (Mullins) Hamblin, met his Jesus on April 4, 2025 surrounded by the love of his family being 89-years old. James was a teacher, first in the schools and then at the pulpit, where he preached the Gospel for over 58 faithful years. James was lucky in love twice in his life. First with Zada (Eversole) Hamblin, whom he shared 9-years and two children: Timothy Hamblin & Lisa and Wanda Johnson & David. After mourning the loss of his first wife, he met and married Myrna (Miller) Hamblin, whom he shared 51-years of marriage and two additional children: Marilee Hylton & Darian and Lydia Dawn Johnson & James.
James showed up, If he said he would be there, he was, and early. He helped to build the Hazard A.R.H. chaplain program from day one. He started the bus ministry at Airport Gardens and was faithful to be there every Saturday and Sunday. Every Friday he would have homebound Bible lesson with families that couldn’t come to church. After suggested by a dear friend, he began a Bible lesson at the nursing home on Wednesday that continued till June of 2024. He began the tape ministry that sent Sunday messages on Monday all the way from California to Virginia. He talked to everyone, no matter where or who you were. You were someone to God, so you were someone to James Hamblin.
James was all in, whether it was being faithful to God every day in every way, his Sunday aggravation board games with his grandkids, or cheering them on in everything they did, or yelling loudly that even the neighbors could hear for his beloved Kentucky Wildcats….HE WAS ALL IN. One of our friends said this about James and we think everyone would agree….James was one of the few who not only talks the talk, but also purely walks the walk. James Hamblin was preceded in death by his parents, Taylor and Lydia (Mullins) Hamblin; wife, Zada (Eversole) Hamblin; sisters, Grace Turner, Dessie Postlethwaite, LaRue Davis, Sally Bailey; brothers, Mark Hamblin, Dishman Hamblin, and George Hamblin.
Rev. James Hamblin leaves the following relatives to cherish his memory: wife, Myrna (Miller) Hamblin; son, Timothy Hamblin & Lisa; daughters, Wanda Johnson & David, Marilee Hylton & Darian, and Lydia Dawn Johnson & James; grandchildren, Jonathan Trevor Johnson, Haley Hamblin & Logan, Morgan Lawson & Justin, Emma Hylton, William Johnson, and Juleeann Johnson; two great-grandchildren, Zayla and Brody Lawson; sisters, Louise Hurt and Carlee Stidham; brother, Coy Hamblin; also a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives & friends survive.
Visitation will be held on Monday – April 7, 2025 at the Engle-Bowling Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Funeral Services will be conducted on Tuesday – April 8, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. at the Engle-Bowling Funeral Home with Tim Hamblin officiating. The Interment will follow in the Riverside Cemetery located at Hazard, Kentucky.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mission:Dignity at P.O. Box 819109 – Dallas, Texas 75381-9957 or Camp Nathanael at 480 Camp Nathanael Rd. – Emmalena, Kentucky 41740
REV. JAMES HAMBLIN (JANUARY 21, 1936 – APRIL 4, 2025) | Christian Breaking News!