John Allen Hamlett Sr., age 97, of 7610 Roaring Run Road, Covington, Virginia, died Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at his residence.
He was born February 17, 1913 in Rich Patch, Virginia, a son of the late Orville Lewis "O.L." and Robbie Marietta Deisher Hamlett.
He was a retired soil conservationist for the USDA Soil Conservation Service.
During World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Corps and the United States Air Force, and retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
He was a member of Rich Patch Union Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher for both the Men's class and the Combined Adult class, and was a former Superintendent of Sunday Schools.
He served on the Board of Directors and was a former President of Craig-Botetourt Rural Electric Coop, and was a member of the Extension Homemakers. He belonged to the Athletic Association of Alleghany High School and filmed the high school football games. He also volunteered at Alleghany Regional Hospital.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Kessinger Hamlett in 1980, and a sister, Emma Frances Deaton.
He is survived by a daughter, Robbie Hamlett Donnelly and husband, Thomas of Smithsburg, MD; a son, John Allen Hamlett, Jr. of Lovingston; two grandchildren, Hannah Grace Donnelly and John Thomas Donnelly; a number of nieces, nephews, and other family members; and many close friends, including Dorothy Rhodes.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in Rich Patch Union Church with Reverend Lynn Wright officiating.
Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, Rich Patch. Active pallbearers will be Dale Stull, Faron Stull, Ellis Stull, Steve Bennett, Ronnie Bennett, and Earl McClung. Alternate pallbearers will be Tom Donnelly and Bobby Fahenestock. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Mountain Regional Hospice Volunteers, P. O. Box 637, Clifton Forge, VA 24422 or to the Alleghany Humane Society, 304 Karnes Road, Low Moor, VA 24457.
Arrangements are being handled by Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge.
