Dennis Draper Hamblin, age 89 years, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at Hospice House in Kansas City, after a courageous fight of several illnesses. Funeral services will be at Vansant Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, MO, on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be one hour prior. Interment will follow at Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, MO.  The family suggests memorial contributions to Clinton Animal Rescue Endeavor (C.A.R.E) and may be left in care of the funeral home.  Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com .

Dennis was born on March 21, 1927, to Jim and Gertrude Hamblin. He was the fifth child with four older brothers; eventually followed by two younger sisters.  He grew up on several farms in the surrounding area enjoying a simple life with his family.  As a teenager, he went to school in Deepwater his freshman and sophomore years. The family then moved to Clinton and he attended his junior year here.  At age 17, he left school and joined the Navy. While in the Navy, he was sent to Japan where he witnessed the devastation of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. Dennis's four older brothers were already in the service and miraculously all five of them returned home safely.  All through their childhood and even through their married lives, Dennis and his siblings all stayed close to each other.

After service, Dennis married Faye Hammons in 1947. They had two children: Dennis Michael and Mary Vacinda.  Hard work and pinching pennies followed – but life flourished.  During Dennis's early career, he delivered gasoline to various service stations in the surrounding counties. Later he bought a territory from City Service Oil Company and delivered kerosene to multiple homes and continued to grow his business successfully for the next two years. After that, Dennis went to work for Missouri Public Service in 1966 and retired 24 years later in 1990.

After retirement Dennis continued to do some part time work, enjoyed several fun trips with his wife, Faye, and was blessed with weddings, family reunions, birthdays, and holidays with family and friends. He was such a joy and a blessing to so many.

He is survived by his wife, Faye Hamblin, Clinton; son, Mike Hamblin, Belton, MO; daughter, Cindy Mullen, Kansas City, MO; sister, Pauline Ash, Clinton; brother, Elvin Hamblin, Olathe, KS; four granddaughters (and spouses) listed below:

Jennifer and Terry Shaw – Centerview, MO

Jodie and Chad Eberting – Raymore, MO

Heather and Ryan Van Sickle – Cumming, GA

Erin and Steve Kraft – Lee's Summit, MO

As well as one grandson, Jason Hamblin, Peculiar, MO.

Services have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, Missouri.