Obituary
Herbert Jack Hamblen died at home with his family June 30, 2013.
He was born south of Farmington in Walnut Grove November 13, 1925 and lived nearly his entire life on his ancestral farm in this valley. He loved farming. His family grew grapes, strawberries, and tomatoes. They built a canning factory, canned vegetables, and shipped them from the Farmington train station to support the war effort in the 40’s.
He started working off the farm in 1955. He worked for the Farm Bureau Co-op, the VA Hospital, and he retired from the U.S. Postal System in 1986, but he still found time for his garden each year.
Jack was a life long member of the Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents Albert Adrian and Addie Juel (Giles), and two brothers Mac L. and Albert Adrian Jr. He is survived by his wife Leta Mae, his son Gary Jack and wife Faye, his daughter Linda Marie Lewis and husband Kelley, his grandsons Gary Hamblen and wife, Kellye (Gabbard) and Kevin Lewis, and great grandchildren L.J. and Abigayle Hamblen.
After finishing high school, he was drafted into the army during WWII. His war was in the Pacific Theater. He was in the 41st Inf. Div. of the 8th Army. They landed at Leyte and then circled to southwest Zamboanga. They secured the entire western coastline and the small islands between Zamboanga and Borneo. He was attached to the 24th Inf. Div. in Mindanao. They landed in Illana Bay and fought through 110 miles of jungle to liberate Davao. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and Heroism for actions during this battle. They were preparing for a land invasion of Japan when Hiroshima was bombed on August 6th. On Sept 1st, he was in Fukuyama and marched to “ground zero” to study the structural damage to the city. He was a paratrooper, a T/5 in the 11th airborne division, and remained in occupied Japan until he was honorably discharged in November, 1946.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6:00-7:00 P.M. at Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 3, 2013 – 2:00 P.M. at Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in Cemetery Hill Cemetery in Farmington, Arkansas.
Pallbearers will be: Jackie Hamblen, Lee Hamblen, Gary Hamblen, Kevin Lewis, Kelley Lewis and Dana Lewis. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Don Bacus, Don Hayes, Robert Dennis, Max Tate and Hank Garrett.
Memorials may be made to the Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church 11989 N Hwy 170 Farmington, Arkansas 72730.
He was born south of Farmington in Walnut Grove November 13, 1925 and lived nearly his entire life on his ancestral farm in this valley. He loved farming. His family grew grapes, strawberries, and tomatoes. They built a canning factory, canned vegetables, and shipped them from the Farmington train station to support the war effort in the 40’s.
He started working off the farm in 1955. He worked for the Farm Bureau Co-op, the VA Hospital, and he retired from the U.S. Postal System in 1986, but he still found time for his garden each year.
Jack was a life long member of the Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents Albert Adrian and Addie Juel (Giles), and two brothers Mac L. and Albert Adrian Jr. He is survived by his wife Leta Mae, his son Gary Jack and wife Faye, his daughter Linda Marie Lewis and husband Kelley, his grandsons Gary Hamblen and wife, Kellye (Gabbard) and Kevin Lewis, and great grandchildren L.J. and Abigayle Hamblen.
After finishing high school, he was drafted into the army during WWII. His war was in the Pacific Theater. He was in the 41st Inf. Div. of the 8th Army. They landed at Leyte and then circled to southwest Zamboanga. They secured the entire western coastline and the small islands between Zamboanga and Borneo. He was attached to the 24th Inf. Div. in Mindanao. They landed in Illana Bay and fought through 110 miles of jungle to liberate Davao. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and Heroism for actions during this battle. They were preparing for a land invasion of Japan when Hiroshima was bombed on August 6th. On Sept 1st, he was in Fukuyama and marched to “ground zero” to study the structural damage to the city. He was a paratrooper, a T/5 in the 11th airborne division, and remained in occupied Japan until he was honorably discharged in November, 1946.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6:00-7:00 P.M. at Luginbuel Funeral Home in Prairie Grove. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 3, 2013 – 2:00 P.M. at Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in Cemetery Hill Cemetery in Farmington, Arkansas.
Pallbearers will be: Jackie Hamblen, Lee Hamblen, Gary Hamblen, Kevin Lewis, Kelley Lewis and Dana Lewis. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Don Bacus, Don Hayes, Robert Dennis, Max Tate and Hank Garrett.
Memorials may be made to the Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church 11989 N Hwy 170 Farmington, Arkansas 72730.
Funeral Service
2:00 pm
Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church - Farmington, Arkansas
Visitation
6:00 pm
Luginbuel Chapel - family will be present
Final Resting Place
General
Nov 13, 1925
Jun 30, 2013
87
Documents
Tributes

We wish to extend our condolences and let you know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Extending deep and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.
Barbara & Rick Garner (and family) - Family

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Betty Colburn - Friend

Dear Jack and Faye, I always remember your dad coming to all the events for the boys when they were growing up and then after we moved out on 170 always seeing him outside working in the yard and garden. What a full and rewarding life he lived. Sorry for your loss but know you will continue to be blessed with all the precious memories you shared.
Linda Hipes - Friend

I am so sorry for your loss. He will be missed. Keep your memories of him close to heart.
(Daughter of Grace Buchanan Parker)
Diana Parker - Friend
Funeral Service
2:00 pm
Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church - Farmington, Arkansas
Visitation
6:00 pm
Luginbuel Chapel - family will be present
Final Resting Place
General
Nov 13, 1925
Jun 30, 2013
87
Documents