Delmer Hamblin

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Delmer Hyrum Hamblin, age 89, of Cedarview, Utah, died at his son’s home in Roosevelt, Utah, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, surrounded by family. 

 Delmer was born on February 11, 1935, to James and Reita Hunt Hamblin in Montwell, UT. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a missionary in the Southwest Indian Mission. After his mission, he attended various universities, including the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, where he graduated with a biology degree and elementary teaching certification. It was at the U of U where Delmer met the love of his life, Barbara Fetzer. Delmer and Barbara were married in the Salt Lake Temple and later resided in Cedarview, where they founded their family of seven kids.

 Delmer was an amazingly supportive dad. He enjoyed living life fully, and when his children expressed an interest in anything, he enthusiastically joined in. The hobbies he shared with his kids were numerous and included: weather-tracking, beekeeping, falconry, hunting, fishing, gardening, books, horses, photography, bigfooting, blacksmithing, trail cameras, political analysis, wildland advocacy, stargazing, sports, and music. When it came to music, Delmer played the guitar and harmonica, and enjoyed singing in choirs, as well as attending musical performances with his family.

 He loved life with a child-like enthusiasm – and he inspired his own children with his love of the natural world. Delmer would often run out after snowstorms and build snow sculptures. He loved animals, including dogs, chickens, horses, cows, and any other animal he came across. With any kind of newborn animal, he delighted as if seeing one for the first time.

 In addition to those of his own kids, he touched the lives of many Roosevelt residents as an elementary, junior high science, and PE teacher – peppering his lessons with jokes that kids from neighboring classrooms would strain to overhear. Delmer would often come home after a day of teaching and tell Barbara, “I think I have them loving learning. Now I’ll try to teach them something.” In addition to his service educating young minds, he also served in the Air Force Reserve and was on active duty during the Bay of Pigs Invasion.

 Delmer didn’t get to attend any Boy Scout camps as a boy, but he more than made up for that when he became a Scoutmaster as an adult. Each winter Delmer and Barbara would conduct a Klondike Derby camp, and he was very proud of the fact that he participated in forty-four Klondike Derby camps in a row. Forty-four was also the number of boys that he and Barbara helped earn their Eagle Scout Awards. He enjoyed working with numerous Scouts over the years, including his own sons (who became Scout leaders themselves), as well as several of his nephews. Delmer and Barbara both attended Wood Badge Boy Scout leader training; and for their great accomplishments in scouting, they were each awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver Award.

 Along with being active in the Scouting program, Delmer and Barbara, enjoyed conducting the children's games part of the UBIC (Uintah Basin In Celebration), which they did for thirty years. Each year they would set up an obstacle course, various games, and a pirate chest full of hidden treasures.

 Of course, Delmer was just as caring and supportive as a grandfather and great-grandfather as he was as a dad, teacher, Scout leader, and community member, and he was always up for joining in on adventures – of which there were many. Delmer embarked on many road trips and wilderness adventure with his kids and grandkids. These included many horse trips into the High Uinta Mountains, and he even made it to King's Peak with grandkids three times. He also loved supporting his grandchildren and great grandchildren in their school, sports, dance, and music activities.

 It wasn’t just his family who knew Delmer’s upbeat personality though – everyone who met him soon discovered that he was good humored, friendly, and easy to please, because he sincerely loved others and had a generous spirit. His guiding principle was to always be of good cheer. When he encountered a problem, he rarely complained but instead, continued on with a can-do, positive attitude. If he had a mechanical problem on the farm to figure out, he just kept working on it with persistence until it got fixed and done. He worked as a co-equal team with his wife Barbara, whether it was work around the house and farm, or in Scouting, children's games, or church callings.

 He did have one particular pleasure that he could enjoy with others, or all by himself – reading seed catalogs – and he took joy in trying new vegetable varieties in his garden each year. Even in his final months, he spent many relaxing moments reading about seeds and telling family about interesting varieties. One of the main ways he enjoyed connecting with others, though, was by telling stories – and when Delmer started telling a story, you never knew if it was a real-life story, or if he was straight-facedly setting up a joke or a funny one-liner. When someone said goodbye to him, Delmer’s favorite joke was, “Don’t leave now, we were just starting to like you.” Delmer – you left too soon. We love you dearly. You have left us with many wonderful memories, and you will be greatly missed.

 Delmer is survived by his children, Shane Hamblin and spouse Shaunette, Kevin Hamblin, Laird Hamblin and spouse Carol, Chad Hamblin and spouse Kristina, Shawna Hamblin, Tamra Ratieta and spouse Tirin, and Kayla Hamblin. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Grayson Ratieta, Shaleena Costley and spouse Cameron, Sherstin Hicken and spouse Corey, Sheldon Hamblin and spouse Kiana, Shinnea Simmons and spouse Ben, Shirley VanDyke and spouse Brenden, Eden Hamblin, Ryan Ratieta, Ashley Warner Gutierrez, and Cort Warner, as well as 3 honorary grandchildren, Victor Begay, Marlene Begay, and April Sangster; and 12 great-grandchildren, Treyson, Adelina, Aspen, Olive, Paul, Marjorie, Simon, Rowan, Sage, Lydia, Clarabelle, and Nicole Lacey.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Reita and James Hamblin; siblings, Ila Larsen, Reita Lyn Humphries, Ruth Haslem, and James Hamblin; son Quin; great grandson Jax; and placement students, Victor Begay, and Camelia Sangster.

 Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 12:00 noon at the Roosevelt Stake Center, 447 E Lagoon Street, with a visitation from 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. Another visistation will be held on Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Utah State University Roosevelt Campus (in the Classroom building), 987 E Lagoon Street.

 Burial will be in the Cedarview Cemetery with military honors presented by the Roosevelt American Legion.