Ray Hamblen

Ray Hamblen, 90, Kingsport, passed away on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at his home. He graduated from Sullivan High School in 1939 and completed his last summer of training at Citizens Military Training Camp at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia in 1940. In 1940 Ray started his employment at Tennessee Eastman Kodak in the twisting, spinning and inspection department. Ray enlisted in the United Stated Army Air Forces and served from 1942 to 1946. He served as a crew chief operator on C-46 Commando and C-47 Skytrain aircraft. Ray was wounded while serving during World War II in the Phillipines and was present on the USS Missouri at the signing of the peace treaty with Japan. After serving in the USAAF, Ray returned to Eastman where he became a supervisor in the research department. He retired from TEC in 1984 after almost 45 years of service.

He was an active lifetime member of the Disabled Veterans where he served as Chapter Commander, First District Commander and East Tennessee Division Commander. In 1960 he was elected as a State Commander and served the employment community under three governors. He was also a member of the VFW and the American Legion Hammond, Post 3. Ray was a member of Glen Alpine United Methodist Church.

In 1990 Ray was elected to serve as the Potentate of Jericho Temple after many years of involvement in the Jericho Temple Shriners. He was a Master and 32 Degree Mason. Ray received the most satisfaction from the Shriners as a driver helping to transport children to area Shriner hospitals for care.

Ray was preceded in death by his father, Albert Hugh Hamblen, mother, Josephine Fincher, and siblings, Charlie, Paul, Ida Hunt, Silas, Roy and Ola Kite.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Helen Marie Evans; children, Letitia Williams and husband, Eddie, and Becky Hamblen; grandchildren, Valerie Williams Hunt and husband, Clint, Chuck Williams and wife, Beth, Elizabeth Williams Bright and husband, Nathan, and Hollie Rhoton Brooks and husband, Tommy; great-grandchildren, C.J. White and wife, Ashley, Rachel Hunt, Nikolas Williams, Alex Hunt, Henry Brooks, Manning Brooks and Sam Bright; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 22nd from 11-1:00 pm at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport. Masonic services will be conducted at 1:00 pm with the funeral service to follow.

Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park with Military Honors by American Legion Posts 3/265.

Pallbearers will be Wayne Kite, Sam Kite, Eddie Hunt, Mark Hamblen, Jay Hamblen and Doug Hamblen.

Memorial contributions can be made to Glen Alpine United Methodist Church, 3200 Glen Alpine Rd., Kingsport, TN 37660, or to the Shriners Children's Hospital, 950 West Faris Road, Greeneville, SC 29605.