Michael Lee Hamblin

Michael L. Hamblin, age 58, of Little Rock, passed away on March 6, 2013 at the VA Hospital in Little Rock of what most would think was a broken heart. Mike lost his wife of 36 years in 2009 and his mother, Mildred I. Henry Hamblin three months earlier and was also preceded in death by his father, Gordon F. Hamblin Sr. He is survived by two sons, Justin Hamblin, of Little Rock; step-son, David Parker and wife Beth, of Grant, Mich., his special adopted granddaughter, Austin and step-grandchildren, Julia Grace Parker and Reilly Parker. Mike also leaves his brother, Gordon F. Hamblin, Jr. and wife, Pam, sister, Kathy J. Rice and husband, Jim and nephew, Thomas L. Rogers and wife, Deanna, along with a host of nieces and nephews in and around Arkansas. Mike was born in a doctor's office at 4th and Maple Street in North Little Rock. He attended and graduated from Metropolitan High School in Little Rock. He served in the US Marine Corp from 1971-1975 in Hawaii as a Specialty Mechanic for Schnook Helicopters in transit to Viet Nam and as a military police officer. He began his civilian career in the sign business and later on moved to Louisiana where he was a boiler operator at Flavorich Dairy. He missed his home and family in Little Rock and moved back and later retired from Phillips Lighting. After being stricken with Reiter's Syndrome in 1997 he built his own neon shop on his property and blew neon for businesses such as Sonic, 7-11 stores, Safeway, Tinsel Town in Benton, Harvest Foods and a variety of other large businesses in the Arkansas/Louisiana area. It was not unusual to see three to four tractor/trailers lined up on the road in front of his country home waiting to load his perfection of work. Mike and Sharon loved to fish and camp and could be found on many late evenings on his boat on the Arkansas River. He was a very devoted husband and father. He loved to tell stories to all that would listen about his tales of life. He would laugh so hard about some stories the tears would stream down his face. He never met a stranger and was willing to help all before he would help himself. After experiencing several strokes last year and being a resident of VA/Fort Roots for two months, his mission was completed when he was released and would go back and witness to the veterans still in rehab. He shared with them that he was driving again and if he could make it, they could too. He will be truly missed. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2013 at Markham Street Baptist Church in Little Rock. Minister will be Pastor James McClintock. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Veterans Memorial Hospital.