PAUL W. HAMBLEN
Paul W. Hamblen, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and permanent deacon of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, passed from this earthly life, on Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Paul was born the oldest child of Paul and Theresa Hamblen in Bonne Terre, MO, on July 18, 1948. He was preceded in death by his beloved father, Paul L. Hamblen, his maternal grandparents Edwin and Anna Au Buchon and his paternal grandparents, George and Gussie Hamblen. As a young boy, Paul diligently studied the Latin Mass prayers and became a most responsible and committed altar boy. He served every Tuesday night at Our Lady of Perpetual Help services and frequently dropped his baseball bat to run the two blocks to church to ring the Angelus bells. After moving to Memphis at the age of 14, Paul graduated from Catholic High School for Boys in 1966 and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 -1971. In high school he met the only girl he ever loved, Mary Jane Sanders, and they married on January 4, 1969. After completing his time in the Air Force, Paul attended Memphis State University and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. While in college, he began working as a patrol officer for the Germantown Police Department completed F.B.I. training, and quickly progressed through the ranks to Assistant Chief. He retired as a Captain from the Germantown Police Department in 2004 after 30 years of service. He was respected as a tough, no-nonsense, but fair and honest officer. Paul and Mary have two children, Paul Hamblen, Jr. (PJ) and Angela Hamblen, both of Germantown. Paul Jr. and his wife Michelle brought much happiness to Paul through their two children, Shaun and Morgan, who affectionately called him "Papaw". Paul was extremely proud of his daughter, Angela, for her work with bereaved children and families and because she inherited many of her father's strong traits and values. Paul and Mary enjoyed nothing more than having their children and grandchildren at their home sharing a meal or playing in the pool or spending a family vacation in Destin. In 1997, Paul set out on his second career, the vocation of his life, as he began the study and preparation to become an ordained permanent deacon in the Catholic Church. With Mary at his side, he studied theology and ministry and was ordained in March 2000. His booming voice was easily heard through Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church where Paul and Mary had been members since1986. Paul was affectionately known as the "deacon cop" by family and friends. In his service at Our Lady, Paul's special ministry was to the St. Vincent de Paul Society that assists those in need and most especially to the RCIA, the spiritual journey of those seeking to receive Baptism and enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. Again, with Mary at his side as his hard-working companion, Paul led many RCIA groups and helped nurture their spiritual development through his teaching and example. Paul was a Third Degree Knight in the Germantown Knights of Columbus. In addition the family above, Paul leaves his mother, Theresa Hamblen, and two sisters, Ruth and Mary Hamblen all of Memphis; two brothers Michael (Paula) of Algonquin, IL and Scott (Roberta) of Germantown, TN, his uncle G.J. (Willadean) Au Buchon of Southaven, MS, and aunt Imogene Au Buchon of Sullivan, MO, along with nieces, nephews, and cousins across the country. Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Germantown, TN on Sunday, April 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a rosary. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 12 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help with burial in Memorial Park Southwoods. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church or to Baptist Trinity Camp Good Grief. Paul will be greatly missed by all his friends and his OLPH family who wrapped him and his family in so much love and faith. Paul will be remembered as a "Warrior" who fought hard in life, always clear in his choices about right and wrong, always faithful to his duty, always there for his family and all those he was called upon to protect, lead, and support. He ended this earthly life, surrounded by an outpouring of love, as a "Warrior for God", at last at peace. Canale Funeral Directors 901-452-6400
Published in The Commercial Appeal on April 9, 2010
Paul W. Hamblen, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and permanent deacon of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, passed from this earthly life, on Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Paul was born the oldest child of Paul and Theresa Hamblen in Bonne Terre, MO, on July 18, 1948. He was preceded in death by his beloved father, Paul L. Hamblen, his maternal grandparents Edwin and Anna Au Buchon and his paternal grandparents, George and Gussie Hamblen. As a young boy, Paul diligently studied the Latin Mass prayers and became a most responsible and committed altar boy. He served every Tuesday night at Our Lady of Perpetual Help services and frequently dropped his baseball bat to run the two blocks to church to ring the Angelus bells. After moving to Memphis at the age of 14, Paul graduated from Catholic High School for Boys in 1966 and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 -1971. In high school he met the only girl he ever loved, Mary Jane Sanders, and they married on January 4, 1969. After completing his time in the Air Force, Paul attended Memphis State University and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. While in college, he began working as a patrol officer for the Germantown Police Department completed F.B.I. training, and quickly progressed through the ranks to Assistant Chief. He retired as a Captain from the Germantown Police Department in 2004 after 30 years of service. He was respected as a tough, no-nonsense, but fair and honest officer. Paul and Mary have two children, Paul Hamblen, Jr. (PJ) and Angela Hamblen, both of Germantown. Paul Jr. and his wife Michelle brought much happiness to Paul through their two children, Shaun and Morgan, who affectionately called him "Papaw". Paul was extremely proud of his daughter, Angela, for her work with bereaved children and families and because she inherited many of her father's strong traits and values. Paul and Mary enjoyed nothing more than having their children and grandchildren at their home sharing a meal or playing in the pool or spending a family vacation in Destin. In 1997, Paul set out on his second career, the vocation of his life, as he began the study and preparation to become an ordained permanent deacon in the Catholic Church. With Mary at his side, he studied theology and ministry and was ordained in March 2000. His booming voice was easily heard through Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church where Paul and Mary had been members since1986. Paul was affectionately known as the "deacon cop" by family and friends. In his service at Our Lady, Paul's special ministry was to the St. Vincent de Paul Society that assists those in need and most especially to the RCIA, the spiritual journey of those seeking to receive Baptism and enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. Again, with Mary at his side as his hard-working companion, Paul led many RCIA groups and helped nurture their spiritual development through his teaching and example. Paul was a Third Degree Knight in the Germantown Knights of Columbus. In addition the family above, Paul leaves his mother, Theresa Hamblen, and two sisters, Ruth and Mary Hamblen all of Memphis; two brothers Michael (Paula) of Algonquin, IL and Scott (Roberta) of Germantown, TN, his uncle G.J. (Willadean) Au Buchon of Southaven, MS, and aunt Imogene Au Buchon of Sullivan, MO, along with nieces, nephews, and cousins across the country. Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Germantown, TN on Sunday, April 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a rosary. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 12 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help with burial in Memorial Park Southwoods. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church or to Baptist Trinity Camp Good Grief. Paul will be greatly missed by all his friends and his OLPH family who wrapped him and his family in so much love and faith. Paul will be remembered as a "Warrior" who fought hard in life, always clear in his choices about right and wrong, always faithful to his duty, always there for his family and all those he was called upon to protect, lead, and support. He ended this earthly life, surrounded by an outpouring of love, as a "Warrior for God", at last at peace. Canale Funeral Directors 901-452-6400
Published in The Commercial Appeal on April 9, 2010
PAUL W. HAMBLEN
Paul W. Hamblen, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and permanent deacon of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, passed from this earthly life, on Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Paul was born the oldest child of Paul and Theresa Hamblen in Bonne Terre, MO, on July 18, 1948. He was preceded in death by his beloved father, Paul L. Hamblen, his maternal grandparents Edwin and Anna Au Buchon and his paternal grandparents, George and Gussie Hamblen. As a young boy, Paul diligently studied the Latin Mass prayers and became a most responsible and committed altar boy. He served every Tuesday night at Our Lady of Perpetual Help services and frequently dropped his baseball bat to run the two blocks to church to ring the Angelus bells. After moving to Memphis at the age of 14, Paul graduated from Catholic High School for Boys in 1966 and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 -1971. In high school he met the only girl he ever loved, Mary Jane Sanders, and they married on January 4, 1969. After completing his time in the Air Force, Paul attended Memphis State University and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. While in college, he began working as a patrol officer for the Germantown Police Department completed F.B.I. training, and quickly progressed through the ranks to Assistant Chief. He retired as a Captain from the Germantown Police Department in 2004 after 30 years of service. He was respected as a tough, no-nonsense, but fair and honest officer. Paul and Mary have two children, Paul Hamblen, Jr. (PJ) and Angela Hamblen, both of Germantown. Paul Jr. and his wife Michelle brought much happiness to Paul through their two children, Shaun and Morgan, who affectionately called him "Papaw". Paul was extremely proud of his daughter, Angela, for her work with bereaved children and families and because she inherited many of her father's strong traits and values. Paul and Mary enjoyed nothing more than having their children and grandchildren at their home sharing a meal or playing in the pool or spending a family vacation in Destin. In 1997, Paul set out on his second career, the vocation of his life, as he began the study and preparation to become an ordained permanent deacon in the Catholic Church. With Mary at his side, he studied theology and ministry and was ordained in March 2000. His booming voice was easily heard through Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church where Paul and Mary had been members since1986. Paul was affectionately known as the "deacon cop" by family and friends. In his service at Our Lady, Paul's special ministry was to the St. Vincent de Paul Society that assists those in need and most especially to the RCIA, the spiritual journey of those seeking to receive Baptism and enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. Again, with Mary at his side as his hard-working companion, Paul led many RCIA groups and helped nurture their spiritual development through his teaching and example. Paul was a Third Degree Knight in the Germantown Knights of Columbus. In addition the family above, Paul leaves his mother, Theresa Hamblen, and two sisters, Ruth and Mary Hamblen all of Memphis; two brothers Michael (Paula) of Algonquin, IL and Scott (Roberta) of Germantown, TN, his uncle G.J. (Willadean) Au Buchon of Southaven, MS, and aunt Imogene Au Buchon of Sullivan, MO, along with nieces, nephews, and cousins across the country. Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Germantown, TN on Sunday, April 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a rosary. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 12 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help with burial in Memorial Park Southwoods. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church or to Baptist Trinity Camp Good Grief. Paul will be greatly missed by all his friends and his OLPH family who wrapped him and his family in so much love and faith. Paul will be remembered as a "Warrior" who fought hard in life, always clear in his choices about right and wrong, always faithful to his duty, always there for his family and all those he was called upon to protect, lead, and support. He ended this earthly life, surrounded by an outpouring of love, as a "Warrior for God", at last at peace. Canale Funeral Directors 901-452-6400
Published in The Commercial Appeal on April 9, 2010
Paul W. Hamblen, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and permanent deacon of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, passed from this earthly life, on Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Paul was born the oldest child of Paul and Theresa Hamblen in Bonne Terre, MO, on July 18, 1948. He was preceded in death by his beloved father, Paul L. Hamblen, his maternal grandparents Edwin and Anna Au Buchon and his paternal grandparents, George and Gussie Hamblen. As a young boy, Paul diligently studied the Latin Mass prayers and became a most responsible and committed altar boy. He served every Tuesday night at Our Lady of Perpetual Help services and frequently dropped his baseball bat to run the two blocks to church to ring the Angelus bells. After moving to Memphis at the age of 14, Paul graduated from Catholic High School for Boys in 1966 and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 -1971. In high school he met the only girl he ever loved, Mary Jane Sanders, and they married on January 4, 1969. After completing his time in the Air Force, Paul attended Memphis State University and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. While in college, he began working as a patrol officer for the Germantown Police Department completed F.B.I. training, and quickly progressed through the ranks to Assistant Chief. He retired as a Captain from the Germantown Police Department in 2004 after 30 years of service. He was respected as a tough, no-nonsense, but fair and honest officer. Paul and Mary have two children, Paul Hamblen, Jr. (PJ) and Angela Hamblen, both of Germantown. Paul Jr. and his wife Michelle brought much happiness to Paul through their two children, Shaun and Morgan, who affectionately called him "Papaw". Paul was extremely proud of his daughter, Angela, for her work with bereaved children and families and because she inherited many of her father's strong traits and values. Paul and Mary enjoyed nothing more than having their children and grandchildren at their home sharing a meal or playing in the pool or spending a family vacation in Destin. In 1997, Paul set out on his second career, the vocation of his life, as he began the study and preparation to become an ordained permanent deacon in the Catholic Church. With Mary at his side, he studied theology and ministry and was ordained in March 2000. His booming voice was easily heard through Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church where Paul and Mary had been members since1986. Paul was affectionately known as the "deacon cop" by family and friends. In his service at Our Lady, Paul's special ministry was to the St. Vincent de Paul Society that assists those in need and most especially to the RCIA, the spiritual journey of those seeking to receive Baptism and enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. Again, with Mary at his side as his hard-working companion, Paul led many RCIA groups and helped nurture their spiritual development through his teaching and example. Paul was a Third Degree Knight in the Germantown Knights of Columbus. In addition the family above, Paul leaves his mother, Theresa Hamblen, and two sisters, Ruth and Mary Hamblen all of Memphis; two brothers Michael (Paula) of Algonquin, IL and Scott (Roberta) of Germantown, TN, his uncle G.J. (Willadean) Au Buchon of Southaven, MS, and aunt Imogene Au Buchon of Sullivan, MO, along with nieces, nephews, and cousins across the country. Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Germantown, TN on Sunday, April 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a rosary. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 12 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help with burial in Memorial Park Southwoods. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church or to Baptist Trinity Camp Good Grief. Paul will be greatly missed by all his friends and his OLPH family who wrapped him and his family in so much love and faith. Paul will be remembered as a "Warrior" who fought hard in life, always clear in his choices about right and wrong, always faithful to his duty, always there for his family and all those he was called upon to protect, lead, and support. He ended this earthly life, surrounded by an outpouring of love, as a "Warrior for God", at last at peace. Canale Funeral Directors 901-452-6400
Published in The Commercial Appeal on April 9, 2010
