Ronald Eugene Hamblin was born July 18, 1945 in Kanab, UT to Antone R. and LaDonna Hamblin. When Ronny was born, his father was serving in WW2 and missed his birth. Tone was so happy to return home safely, a few months later, to his new son and family. Ron has four sisters–DonnaGae (Roscoe) Burgoyne, deceased, Tonie (Robert) Wilcock, Shan (David) Labrum and Holly Ramsay.
Ron died from pancreas, kidney and liver failure Dec. 13, 2023. He passed away peacefully, knowing he was loved, respected and cared for by so many friends and family. You are invited to attend the graveside in Kanab, UT Sat. Dec. 16 at 3:00pm. Open mic/ music jam session to follow in Parry Lodge Barn from 4-7pm. Services in Monroe, UT will take place Tues. Dec. 19. A luncheon at noon in the 4th Ward Chapel will be followed by the open mic at 1:00pm. 49 E. 200 S. Monroe, UT 84754
Ronny grew up in Kanab helping deliver milk for Chamberlain Dairy, sanding chicken eggs to sell from the family farm, and later working as a gas station attendant. He enjoyed building & riding go karts with his cousin-brother Robert Hamblin, exploring, hunting, and occasionally getting into mischief such as deliberately melting his crayons onto the school heater. He was active in football, basketball, track and music (trumpet + guitar), serving as Kanab High School’s Student Body President his senior year.
It was in high school that Ron met his sweetheart, Judy Hollingsworth. After his mission to the Navajo Nation, they were married in the St. George Temple and went on to have 4 children, Lance (Marion), Tyler, deceased, Angie (David) Card and Ronda Jill (Clint) Anderson. He has 12 grandchildren, Zach (Talia) Jarnagin, Hannah, Eli, Luke and Hope Jarnagin, Broox Anderson, Jaryn (Cameron) Browning, Carter (Cassidee) Anderson, Sierra and Trinity Anderson, Jacob Hamblin, Emma Hamblin, three great-grandchildren and one on the way! Ron arrived in paradise just in time to put the candles on Judy’s heavenly birthday cake (the day before her birthday)!
Ron graduated in Music Education from Weber State University and began teaching band and choir back at Kanab High, where he started an outdoor recreation and river rafting chapter, pioneering student sportyak trips down the Grand Canyon. This has spawned countless river rats. He invented the “wrap” sandwich back in 1968, when he refused to permit bread on his river trips.
Later Ron would teach band and various other subjects at Kearns High, Manila High, and South Sevier High. He retired after a total of 38 years teaching. He ran coin-candy machine, firewood, and windshield repair businesses, along the way. He loved maps and bought the Commodore 64 and Apple 2 computers when they first came out. He pioneered GIS (geographic information systems) and GPS in Sevier County, securing grants for equipment which sparked career interest in several students. He worked for Sevier County gps-ing roads. He enjoyed the advent of answering machines, once coining an outgoing message which triggered the S.W.A.T team to his house.
Ron was a 3-time UHSAA State “Coach of The Year” for track and cross-country, winning two team state championship titles and several individual state titles. He coached individuals to records, medals and collegiate track and cross-country careers.
He was the world’s best Valentine-giver and the world’s worst wood-worker, one time accidentally boxing the family cat into the ho-hum deck he was building.
He enjoyed ministering to his fellow man by sharing produce from his yard, plowing and shoveling snow from driveways, and taking countless youth camping and on river trips and hikes. His grandkids can tell you that there is camping, there is glamping, and then there is “gramping.” He was later ordained to the office of “internet preacher” for a fee of $35 in order to marry off one of his grandsons.
After the passing of his dear Judy, Ron married Susan Goff of St. George, UT. They continued to reside in Monroe and served together teaching primary and singing together for the elderly in the local nursing homes.
Ron was very active riding his bike, traveling, rafting rivers, and conducting Sevier Symphony’s performance of Handel’s “Messiah” right up until he became ill at the age of 78. He personified a Christian. His message was one of peace, love, thrift, generosity and an awareness for humanity.
https://zoom.us/j/96711569329?pwd=ZnE1QzN5Snd1ekY4WEhucGRZc2pDQT09
Code is 0182.
Susan and family
Going to miss Ron singing and playing the guitar for us on Mondays at the care center. RIP Ron.
Thanks Ron for all your efforts in your teaching career. You were a great teacher. Janice and greatly respected how you worked with our daughter, Valerie. I remember the evening you played your trumpet over her grave. Tell her hi for us. Rex and Janice Dunn
Best band teacher I ever had and best overall person. He will be missed by all and thankful to know he is back with his wife Judy. Hugs to his kids, grandkids and current wife. He truly was an angel on earth.
My daughter (age 4) misses seeing Ron ride his bike in front of our house. She loved that he always waived and smiled at her. ❤️
Ron was a pillar of the music community in Sevier County. He was the conductor extraordinaire of the annual Messiah performance. I say Extraordinaire because I’ve never known someone who loved the music and the meaning of that inspired music as much as Ron. He led it with all heart and the utmost humility. Ron is a treasure! I’m so grateful to have known him.
Ron was one great teacher coach and a friend. He was fluent in Navajo language. Always like talking about his mission to the Navajo reservation. My hometown. My condolences to the family and friends.