Glen Elbert Hamblin

Obituary of Glen Elbert Hamblin
     G. Elbert Hamblin; beloved husband, father and friend, died Wednesday, January 11, 2023. He is rejoicing with his Savior and family that has gone before him. Elbert Hamblin was born 87 years ago, September 29,1935 to parents Glen Obid Hamblin and Selena Leatham Anderson in the mountains of Alpine, Arizona. They moved to La Plata, NM in 1946. Elbert was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served as a missionary for 2 years in the Texas- Louisiana Mission. He married Nila Loy Smith June 11, 1959 in the Mesa Temple. He served in the NM National Guard. From his youth he continually sharpened his skills as a Farmer, Dairyman and Cattleman, while serving our community in multiple capacities as well as raising a family of 10 children.  
As a child in Arizona the family milked a few cows and sold cheese and butter to supplement the farm income. In LaPlata he worked with his father and brother to build the farm up to 590 acres of combined owned and leased land used to produce hay and forage for  a dairy herd of 125 milking head. This required meticulous use of the meager irrigation water available as well as considerable agricultural knowledge.  He and his wife are widely remembered for hosting school field trips (as many as 700 students in a season) providing interesting instruction from 1st grade to college level. As the dairy business became unsustainable, he was able to shift the operation to beef production that continues today.
Throughout his professional life in agriculture, he served both his church and local community in various ways. In his church he was; Counselor to four Bishops, a Stake High Councilman, loved teaching children and being a membership clerk was his favorite calling. In the local community he served on many agriculture boards; the NM State Inter-Streams Commission, the Farm Service Agency, the NMSU Agriculture Science Center and the La Plata Water Conservancy Board who recognized him for serving 54 years, the longest on record.  He is remembered by friends and family as a gentle giant who taught a strong work ethic, to be life-long learners, to pray and serve the Lord. His peers knew him to be fair and honest in all dealings.
     He is preceded in death by: his parents, 2 brothers, Obid Hamblin and Ellis Hamblin and 2 sisters Barbara Hamblin Ball, and Peggy Hamblin Jack. 3 children; Garth Spence, Julie Marie, and Dwain Curtis.1 grandson, Timothy Ryan Hamblin and 1 great grandson, Brett James; also, in-law parents; Elmo and Lela Smith.  He is survived by: his sister Darlene Hamblin Palmer, wife of 63 years, Nila L. Smith Hamblin, 5 sons: Mark Elbert, Michael Glen (Misty), Darnell Ray (Andrea), Steven Dale (Julianne), Allen Neil (Melanie), 2 daughters: Marcia Dee H. James (Dwight), and Laura Lee H. Brown (Daniel).  He leaves 26 Grandchildren, 26 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great Grandson and a large extended family.
    Visitation will be Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St., Farmington, NM. The Funeral will be Friday, January 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Chapel at 400 W. Apache St.  Family will gather at 10:00 AM in the Relief Society room.

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