Edwin Hamblin, Jr.

Edwin Alfred Hamblin, Jr., 69, of Panama City Beach, Florida, formally of Fayetteville was born at Ft. Bragg, NC on 3 Nov 1952 and was called home to be with Jesus on 16 Sept 2022 at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida.

Edwin is preceded in death by his mother, Ethel Marie (Tootsie) Hamblin, and his father, Edwin A. Hamblin

Edwin leaves to cherish his memories and mourn his passing, his wife, Linda A. Hamblin; his step-mother, Sue Hamblin; two sisters, Debbie Fryman and Lindy Gardner (James); two half-sisters, Paula Snead (Tracy) and Rebecca Greiner (Chris); five nieces, Tara Perry (Jimmy), Jamie Ivey, Dawn Kallmeyer (Rob), Heather Andresen (Kyle), and Amber Miller (Brian); four nephews, James (Deanna) Gardner, Danny Seaux, William Gren (Sara), and Brent Gren (Ally) and many grand and great grand nieces and nephews.  

Ed left Fayetteville in 1972 when he joined the Navy and shipped out to Great Lakes, IL.  During his career he served in many places including on the USS John F. Kennedy and the USS America as an Air Traffic Controller.  After Ed retired from the Navy, he finished his bachelor degree and went back to work for the Navy in the Civil Service doing research as a Computer Scientist.   He retired from that position in 2016.  

The thing Ed absolutely loved to do more than anything in this world was to be with family.  When he couldn't be with the people he loved in person, he was always in contact with them and remained a constant part of their lives.  Ed was also very much a "people person."  His wide circle of friends from so many different walks of life is evidence of his love for people for who they really were, not for what they had or what they could do for him.  

Ed was an avid motorcyclist and would ride all year round while his health held out.  The short rides he took to the grocery store were just as enjoyable to him as the long cross-country trips he took with friends and his wife.  For many years he and his wife rode their bikes to Myrtle Beach for the Harley rallies.  However, his favorite ride of all time was the one he took from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Wall Memorial during the Rolling Thunder rally in Washington DC.  

When not out riding his bike, Ed liked working with his hands.  He spent many hours in his workshop building things, fixing things, and restoring an antique fire truck.  His dream was to one day ride the truck in the local neighborhood parades.  Ed met many of his neighbors while he worked in his shop.  When the large bay door to the shop was open, it became an invitation for folks to stop by and pass the time of day.