SEYMOUR
J. Baxter Hamblin, 89, Seymour, passed away on Friday, December 2, 2022, in Louisville, KY to be with his Lord and Savior. He was surrounded by his family. Baxter raised his family through Christian values as a member of First Baptist Church in Seymour. He was active Mason through the Jackson Masonic Lodge #146 F. &A.M., where he enjoyed dinners, visiting and long-winded conversations with his good friends. Baxter never knew a stranger and was not shy to ask you where you were from or who you are related to.
Born February 26, 1933, in Dunraven, Ky., he was the second oldest son of Green L. and Edna Hamblin, both of whom preceded him in death. On Dec. 22, 1962, Baxter married Ruby Jewell Craft Hamblin at Forestville Baptist Church in Cincinnati. Ruby Jewell passed to Heaven in 2010.
Through his humble upbringing in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, Baxter’s education began at a one room schoolhouse taught by his father, attending boarding school at Riverside to then graduate Combs High School in 1950. Baxter continued his education with an associate degree at Cumberland Junior College in 1952, to follow up with a bachelor’s degree at Union College in 1954.
After serving in the United States Air Force as a drill sergeant, Baxter received his master’s degree from Morehead State University. He was a public-school teacher over forty years, serving 30 years as Principal at Nashville Elementary School (IN) before retiring 1999. After retirement, Baxter continued to influence young lives serving as an interim principal’s position with Medora Community Schools, and then as a full-time substitute at Scipio Elementary School in Jennings County, IN. He also was a part time substitute teacher for various other school corporations.
Baxter is also proceeded in death by brother’s Bruce Hamblin, Bradley Hamblin, Gayle Hamblin and sister Kay (Hamblin) Norman.
Baxter is survived by his daughter, Hope (Tim) Kraps; his son, Jonathan “J.B.” (Denise) Hamblin; grandchildren, Mackenzie Kraps, Mason Kraps, Meredith Kraps, Miller Kraps, Madison Hamblin (Matt) Steele, Clayton Hamblin, Ashlyn Hamblin; step grandchildren, Nathan May and Allison May; brother Warren Hamblin, sister in-law Peggy (Ron) Fields and his companion Ollie M. Knott.
Visitation will take place from 4-8PM, Tuesday at Voss &Sons Funeral Home, 316 N. Chestnut Street, Seymour, where a Masonic service will take place at 7:30PM. Rev. Doug Hamblin, Baxter’s nephew, will officiate a funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to your local Salvation Army c/o Human Services, Inc, 1115 Oak Street, Seymour, IN 47274, Jews for Jesus, 60 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 or the American Heart Association, 6500 Technology Center Drive, Ste. 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278.
You are invited to read Mr. Hamblin’s online obituary at www.vossfuneralservice.com, where you may sign the online register book, make a memorial contribution, or leave a condolence for the family.