Richard L. Hambleton

Richard L. Hambleton passed away on 12/23/2021. He was born on December 12, 1934 in Roxana, Illinois to William and Myrtle Irene Hambleton. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mildred, his four children: Audrey Denney (Darrell), Peggy Shaw (James), Brian Hambleton (Sherri) and Mary Beth Dolinski (Mark). His grandchildren: Tara McNeeley (Jonathan), Laura Flores (Stevan), Shane Denney, Elizabeth Hansen (Jeremiah), Stephanie Kyle (Paul), Melissa Overton (Robert), Joshua Hambleton (Rachel), Kimberly Erickson (Jeremy), and Bethany Dolinski. Great grandchildren: Josiah, Grace, Autumn, Andrew, Brendan and Elizabeth McNeeley; Jakoby and Gideon Flores; Lydia, Nathan, Joel, Samuel, Daniel, Caleb, Tabitha, and Asher Hansen; Ethan and Allon Kyle; Selah and Brian Overton; Oliver and Lillian Hambleton; Ingrid, Kale, Daniel, Reagan, Rhys and Rhett Erickson. He is also survived by his sister Dorothy Hartman, and many nieces and nephews. He joins his great grandson Zachary Kyle in Heaven. He was also predeceased by his parents, his two brothers and two sisters. He graduated from Roxana High School in 1953. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy aboard the U S S Pine Island from June 1954 until November 1957. Richard met his sweetheart Millie on July 4th, 1953, proposed on 9/15/1953 and married on 8/27/1955. After his service in the Navy, he worked as a plumber beginning in 1957 for J F Denney Plumbing & Heating, J L Clark Plumbing and Heating, McCann Plumbing & Heating, and Compton Plumbing, having achieved the level of journeyman in Kansas City. Richard loved sports of all kinds. He lettered in football and baseball in high school. He tried out for the St. Louis Browns (now St. Louis Cardinals) to be a pitcher. He always rooted for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Kansas City Royals and adopted the Arizona Diamondbacks after moving to Arizona in 1985. He also enjoyed bowling, coaching Little League, camping and swimming. But most of all he loved trout fishing. The White River in Arkansas and the lakes on the Rim in Payson, Arizona yielded him many trophy catches. He also had a musical streak, having been on the drum line in high school, whistling and singing hymns. His faith in his Lord Jesus Christ was nurtured beginning at Trinity Lutheran Church in Leavenworth, Kansas. After moving to Arizona, he continued to grow in his faith at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Chandler and Risen Savior in Sun Lakes. He served in many capacities from Sunday School superintendent, elder, usher, landscaping team, youth group chaperone, etc. Not only was he a fisherman, but he was also a fisher of men and modeled and shared his faith to all with whom he came in contact. His celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 23914 S Alma School Road, Chandler, AZ 85248. Visitation with the family will following the service in the Fellowship Hall. The service will also be live streamed and the link will be posted on FaceBook the morning of the service. In lieu of flowers, to honor Richard, please consider donating to the Landscape Ministry or the Piece Maker Quilters at Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 23914 S Alma School Rd., Chandler, AZ 5248, or a charity of your choosing. Contributions may also be made on line: Donation (eservicepayments.com)