Sergeant Major Donnie Ray Hambrick passed away peacefully on July 25th, 2016 at the age of 67. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he actively served for 22 years as a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces (18-D) before completing his Army career as a member of the 68th Med Group in Wiesbaden, Germany. He received numerous awards and accolades for the things he could tell you about, and should have received countless more for the things that he couldn’t. He was trusted by his peers, admired by his troops, respected by his enemies, and loved by all who were lucky enough to count him among friends and family.
“Silver Flash” was born on August 4, 1948, in Fayetteville, Tennessee, to Roy “Shorty” Hambrick and Katherine Sue Hambrick. Fresh out of high school and having decided that cutting tobacco, picking cotton, running a newspaper route and hanging drywall 24-7 wasn’t hard enough work, he enlisted and earned his Green Beret at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.
Donnie was both a soldier and leader of exceptional merit, his abilities eclipsed only by his gregarious personality. At times, Donnie might tell you with a laugh of the time he staved off hunger in the field by gnawing on the stinking remains of a raw chicken leg that he carried in his BDU pocket, how he had earned the nickname “Silver Flash”, or start any of his hundreds of improbable tales with the phrase “there we were, knee-deep in grenade pins…” At other times he knew exactly how to demonstrate and teach even the most reluctant learner how to perform a particular skill or to more deeply understand a difficult concept, regardless of language or culture. Other times yet, the furrow in his brow would tell you that he was preoccupied with the memory of a soldier he had served with, but that he’d appreciate your company nonetheless.
While a brave and loyal soldier, Donnie was also a loving husband and father. Among his many travels and exploits, it was while stationed in the Canal Zone that he had the good sense to marry on May 20, 1983.
Donnie retired after 22 years of active duty and returned with his family to Petersburg, Tennessee. He immediately enrolled in a local course and earned his HVAC certification and started his own heating and air company. In time he moved the family to Lawrenceville, Georgia where he worked his way through the ranks of local HVAC companies until leveraging his knowledge and personality to become a consultant for the Everest Group in 2001. As a consultant, Donnie excelled while doing what he loved most in a career: traveling, meeting people, telling stories, showing off his vast expertise, and making friends from all walks of life. In his personal time, Donnie enjoyed camping trips to Lake Hartwell with his family, as well as catching every fish in the lake on a weekly basis. Loving his wife and children, as well as utterly spoiling his grandchildren, were his top priorities. This father, grandfather and military man was never short on compassion or generosity for anyone less fortunate. Occasionally following one of his numerous acts of charity he’d give a wink, slap his shoulder and exclaim “big shoulders.”
Big shoulders, indeed, Sergeant Major— you’ve carried countless of us.
Donnie is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, three siblings and ten grandchildren.
A visitation will take place at Tom M. Wages Funeral Service of Lawrenceville on July 31 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the memorial immediately following.
“Silver Flash” was born on August 4, 1948, in Fayetteville, Tennessee, to Roy “Shorty” Hambrick and Katherine Sue Hambrick. Fresh out of high school and having decided that cutting tobacco, picking cotton, running a newspaper route and hanging drywall 24-7 wasn’t hard enough work, he enlisted and earned his Green Beret at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.
Donnie was both a soldier and leader of exceptional merit, his abilities eclipsed only by his gregarious personality. At times, Donnie might tell you with a laugh of the time he staved off hunger in the field by gnawing on the stinking remains of a raw chicken leg that he carried in his BDU pocket, how he had earned the nickname “Silver Flash”, or start any of his hundreds of improbable tales with the phrase “there we were, knee-deep in grenade pins…” At other times he knew exactly how to demonstrate and teach even the most reluctant learner how to perform a particular skill or to more deeply understand a difficult concept, regardless of language or culture. Other times yet, the furrow in his brow would tell you that he was preoccupied with the memory of a soldier he had served with, but that he’d appreciate your company nonetheless.
While a brave and loyal soldier, Donnie was also a loving husband and father. Among his many travels and exploits, it was while stationed in the Canal Zone that he had the good sense to marry on May 20, 1983.
Donnie retired after 22 years of active duty and returned with his family to Petersburg, Tennessee. He immediately enrolled in a local course and earned his HVAC certification and started his own heating and air company. In time he moved the family to Lawrenceville, Georgia where he worked his way through the ranks of local HVAC companies until leveraging his knowledge and personality to become a consultant for the Everest Group in 2001. As a consultant, Donnie excelled while doing what he loved most in a career: traveling, meeting people, telling stories, showing off his vast expertise, and making friends from all walks of life. In his personal time, Donnie enjoyed camping trips to Lake Hartwell with his family, as well as catching every fish in the lake on a weekly basis. Loving his wife and children, as well as utterly spoiling his grandchildren, were his top priorities. This father, grandfather and military man was never short on compassion or generosity for anyone less fortunate. Occasionally following one of his numerous acts of charity he’d give a wink, slap his shoulder and exclaim “big shoulders.”
Big shoulders, indeed, Sergeant Major— you’ve carried countless of us.
Donnie is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, three siblings and ten grandchildren.
A visitation will take place at Tom M. Wages Funeral Service of Lawrenceville on July 31 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the memorial immediately following.
Sergeant Major Donnie Ray Hambrick passed away peacefully on July 25th, 2016 at the age of 67. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he actively served for 22 years as a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces (18-D) before completing his Army career as a member of the 68th Med Group in Wiesbaden, Germany. He received numerous awards and accolades for the things he could tell you about, and should have received countless more for the things that he couldn’t. He was trusted by his peers, admired by his troops, respected by his enemies, and loved by all who were lucky enough to count him among friends and family.
“Silver Flash” was born on August 4, 1948, in Fayetteville, Tennessee, to Roy “Shorty” Hambrick and Katherine Sue Hambrick. Fresh out of high school and having decided that cutting tobacco, picking cotton, running a newspaper route and hanging drywall 24-7 wasn’t hard enough work, he enlisted and earned his Green Beret at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.
Donnie was both a soldier and leader of exceptional merit, his abilities eclipsed only by his gregarious personality. At times, Donnie might tell you with a laugh of the time he staved off hunger in the field by gnawing on the stinking remains of a raw chicken leg that he carried in his BDU pocket, how he had earned the nickname “Silver Flash”, or start any of his hundreds of improbable tales with the phrase “there we were, knee-deep in grenade pins…” At other times he knew exactly how to demonstrate and teach even the most reluctant learner how to perform a particular skill or to more deeply understand a difficult concept, regardless of language or culture. Other times yet, the furrow in his brow would tell you that he was preoccupied with the memory of a soldier he had served with, but that he’d appreciate your company nonetheless.
While a brave and loyal soldier, Donnie was also a loving husband and father. Among his many travels and exploits, it was while stationed in the Canal Zone that he had the good sense to marry on May 20, 1983.
Donnie retired after 22 years of active duty and returned with his family to Petersburg, Tennessee. He immediately enrolled in a local course and earned his HVAC certification and started his own heating and air company. In time he moved the family to Lawrenceville, Georgia where he worked his way through the ranks of local HVAC companies until leveraging his knowledge and personality to become a consultant for the Everest Group in 2001. As a consultant, Donnie excelled while doing what he loved most in a career: traveling, meeting people, telling stories, showing off his vast expertise, and making friends from all walks of life. In his personal time, Donnie enjoyed camping trips to Lake Hartwell with his family, as well as catching every fish in the lake on a weekly basis. Loving his wife and children, as well as utterly spoiling his grandchildren, were his top priorities. This father, grandfather and military man was never short on compassion or generosity for anyone less fortunate. Occasionally following one of his numerous acts of charity he’d give a wink, slap his shoulder and exclaim “big shoulders.”
Big shoulders, indeed, Sergeant Major— you’ve carried countless of us.
Donnie is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, three siblings and ten grandchildren.
A visitation will take place at Tom M. Wages Funeral Service of Lawrenceville on July 31 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the memorial immediately following.
“Silver Flash” was born on August 4, 1948, in Fayetteville, Tennessee, to Roy “Shorty” Hambrick and Katherine Sue Hambrick. Fresh out of high school and having decided that cutting tobacco, picking cotton, running a newspaper route and hanging drywall 24-7 wasn’t hard enough work, he enlisted and earned his Green Beret at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.
Donnie was both a soldier and leader of exceptional merit, his abilities eclipsed only by his gregarious personality. At times, Donnie might tell you with a laugh of the time he staved off hunger in the field by gnawing on the stinking remains of a raw chicken leg that he carried in his BDU pocket, how he had earned the nickname “Silver Flash”, or start any of his hundreds of improbable tales with the phrase “there we were, knee-deep in grenade pins…” At other times he knew exactly how to demonstrate and teach even the most reluctant learner how to perform a particular skill or to more deeply understand a difficult concept, regardless of language or culture. Other times yet, the furrow in his brow would tell you that he was preoccupied with the memory of a soldier he had served with, but that he’d appreciate your company nonetheless.
While a brave and loyal soldier, Donnie was also a loving husband and father. Among his many travels and exploits, it was while stationed in the Canal Zone that he had the good sense to marry on May 20, 1983.
Donnie retired after 22 years of active duty and returned with his family to Petersburg, Tennessee. He immediately enrolled in a local course and earned his HVAC certification and started his own heating and air company. In time he moved the family to Lawrenceville, Georgia where he worked his way through the ranks of local HVAC companies until leveraging his knowledge and personality to become a consultant for the Everest Group in 2001. As a consultant, Donnie excelled while doing what he loved most in a career: traveling, meeting people, telling stories, showing off his vast expertise, and making friends from all walks of life. In his personal time, Donnie enjoyed camping trips to Lake Hartwell with his family, as well as catching every fish in the lake on a weekly basis. Loving his wife and children, as well as utterly spoiling his grandchildren, were his top priorities. This father, grandfather and military man was never short on compassion or generosity for anyone less fortunate. Occasionally following one of his numerous acts of charity he’d give a wink, slap his shoulder and exclaim “big shoulders.”
Big shoulders, indeed, Sergeant Major— you’ve carried countless of us.
Donnie is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, three siblings and ten grandchildren.
A visitation will take place at Tom M. Wages Funeral Service of Lawrenceville on July 31 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the memorial immediately following.
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