Ulos Junior “Okie” Hamblin

Advertisement

Ulos Junior “Okie” Hamblin Veteran

Birth
Hartshorne, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, USA
Death
12 Apr 1999 (aged 68)
Plymouth, Wayne County, Michigan, USA
Burial
Plymouth, Wayne County, Michigan, USA Add to Map
Plot
Block G, Lot 240
Memorial ID
View Source
Okie entered eternal life on April 12, 1999, from his Earthly home with his loving family at his side, immediately after Last Rites were administered, he took his last breath when the word "Amen" was spoken.

Enumerated in the 1940 US Census in Hartshorne, Pittsburg, Oklahoma.

Enumerated in the 1950 US Census in Franklin, Franklin, Nebraska with wife and son.

His father abandoned him and his mother left him to be raised by his Italian immigrant grandparents, the Clementes. From the Clementes he learned his work ethic. He spoke only Italian until attending Catholic school where he learned English from the Spanish speaking nuns. Baptismal name was Ulos Antonio Clemente. Birth certificate states given name as Ulos Junior Hamblin, (not Ulos Hamblin Jr. as is often mistaken), and clearly lists parents as Ulos Frank Hamblin and Amelia Irene Clemente.

His Grandma Massey denied that he was her grandson until he was older. She was embarrassed. Patrons to her cafe often commented about the boy "Rusty" left behind and in time she would no longer deny the child's resemblance to her own son. Ulos spent most summers with his Grandma Massey in Littlefield, Texas until taking a job as a teenager.

His Aunt Daisy took him to visit his relatives throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas. His father wrote a letter to him once, and visited with him once as an adult during Daisy's funeral in 1969. The Littlefield, Texas visit began friendly and ended in verbal altercation. He often remarked that his father was a coward.

He used the alias Yutch Clemente while growing up in his home town of Hartshorne, OK, because the Clementes raised him. He was called "Yutch" after the comic strip character of the time (Old Doc Yak serial). He was athletic, played football, ran track and was taught to box in the ring by his Uncle Dan Clemente. He was fast with his fists and fast on his feet, even into his elderly years. His high school fight record was 36-2.

Worked as a ranch hand, milked cows, and broke horses for Les Mitchell. Enlisted in the US Army at age 15. Graduated high school after returning from the Army. Worked as a carpenter building dams from Nebraska to California, and homes for auto workers in Detroit. Was invited to factory work in Detroit making springs for the automotive industry, employed by Associated Springs, (a Barnes Gibson Raymond company).

He befriended local farmers in Michigan and began raising produce of his own. Abandoned factory work and carpentry to become a full time farmer. Specialized in growing sweet corn, vine crop and pumpkins for wholesale and retail throughout Wayne and Washtenaw County, Michigan. Raised flowers and vegetable plants in the greenhouse for retail.

He partnered with Thomas A. Harris in the produce business called "H and H Farm Produce" until Harris' untimely death in 1964. His business became "Okie's Fresh Farm Produce" until about 1972, "Okie and Son's Fresh Farm Produce" until 1989, and finally "Okie and Mary's Market". Okie provided sweet corn for the Plymouth Fall Festival for many years, some 16,500 ears for a one weekend event. He often commented that farmers were the biggest gamblers there were.

Okie often donated farm produce by the truck load to the local Catholic orphanage, so "the little fellers had something to eat".

Loving husband and inspirational father of eight children. Okie raised many children in the community who were not his own, providing them jobs and teaching them clean moral values and an unforgettable work ethic. He possessed an indomitable spirit and great intestinal fortitude. He never displayed any fear, was his own man, replete with courage and mentally tough, he never backed down from a challenge. Okie was determined. He had grit. He did what he wanted to do, deliberate in his purpose. He was small in stature but had no problem telling you what was on his mind.

A regular morning customer at Bode's Restaurant in Plymouth, he could be found "holding court" and having coffee after returning from the Eastern Market in downtown Detroit.

Okie was a kitchen table philosopher, he had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. He was proud of his children and grandchildren, and loved to speak of their achievements. He shared many anecdotes and told many stories from his youth. Okie was respected and befriended by many, missed by all who knew him.

Was cremated after death. Ashes interred in Kentucky on April 27, 2000 in St.Henry's Catholic Church cemetery Aurora, KY until April 5, 2016 when relocated to Plymouth, Michigan. Final interment at Riverside Cemetery in the same burial site as wife Mary on June 13, 2016.

Note: The deeply recessed dimpled cheeks are a trait found on the Tucker side of the family.

Original photos owned by 47650891 and are not to be used for profit or monetary gain. Submitted by WECMG.

Some of his friends were Delmar and Denver Cockrum, Elwin "Jack" Bicknell, Thomas Albert Harris, Walter "Cobby" Forsythe, George Dollins, Billy Maddux and many cousins, such as Sam Perfetto and the Lardi brothers.

His obituary from the Canton Observer dated 15 Apr 1999 reads:
ULOS 'OKIE' HAMBLIN JR. Services for Ulos "Okie" Hamblin Jr., 68, of Plymouth Township will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 16, in St. Kenneth Catholic Church with the Rev. Joseph Mallia officiating. Local arrangements were made by the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, Plymouth. He was born Sept. 16, 1930, in Hartshorne, Okla. He died on April 12 in Plymouth Township. He moved to Michigan in 1950. He began farming 41 years ago. He owned and operated Okie and Mary's Market in Plymouth Township. He also owned the Okie's U-Pick Pumpkin Patch on North Territorial and Ridge roads, which is now the location of Temple Baptist Church. He also owned Okie's of Fenton, Mich. He grew sweet corn for the Fall Festival and made chicken dinners for many years. He grew and shipped pumpkins to many A&P stores all over the South. He loved western books and movies. He also enjoyed "killing time" at Bode's restaurant in Plymouth. He was preceded in death by his father, Ulos Hamblin Sr., one son, John Hamblin; and stepfather, Elmo Trueblood. Survivors include his wife, Mary Hamblin of Plymouth Township; his mother, Amelia Trueblood of McAlester, Okla.; eight children. Bill (Brenda) Hamblin of Adams, Tenn., James (Jackie) Hamblin of Dexter, Ky., George Hamblin of Richmond, Mich., Robert Hamblin of Plymouth, Stephen Hamblin of Ashland City, Tenn., Adra (Thomas) Erwin of South Lyon, Lou Ann Hamblin of Belleville, Pam Hamblin of Plymouth; three brothers, Keith Hamblin of California, Ronald Trueblood of Saudi Arabia; Kit Edward Hamblin of California, two sisters Mary Howard of Santa Ynez, Calif., Beverly Trueblood of Hartshorne, Okla.; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Okie entered eternal life on April 12, 1999, from his Earthly home with his loving family at his side, immediately after Last Rites were administered, he took his last breath when the word "Amen" was spoken.

Enumerated in the 1940 US Census in Hartshorne, Pittsburg, Oklahoma.

Enumerated in the 1950 US Census in Franklin, Franklin, Nebraska with wife and son.

His father abandoned him and his mother left him to be raised by his Italian immigrant grandparents, the Clementes. From the Clementes he learned his work ethic. He spoke only Italian until attending Catholic school where he learned English from the Spanish speaking nuns. Baptismal name was Ulos Antonio Clemente. Birth certificate states given name as Ulos Junior Hamblin, (not Ulos Hamblin Jr. as is often mistaken), and clearly lists parents as Ulos Frank Hamblin and Amelia Irene Clemente.

His Grandma Massey denied that he was her grandson until he was older. She was embarrassed. Patrons to her cafe often commented about the boy "Rusty" left behind and in time she would no longer deny the child's resemblance to her own son. Ulos spent most summers with his Grandma Massey in Littlefield, Texas until taking a job as a teenager.

His Aunt Daisy took him to visit his relatives throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas. His father wrote a letter to him once, and visited with him once as an adult during Daisy's funeral in 1969. The Littlefield, Texas visit began friendly and ended in verbal altercation. He often remarked that his father was a coward.

He used the alias Yutch Clemente while growing up in his home town of Hartshorne, OK, because the Clementes raised him. He was called "Yutch" after the comic strip character of the time (Old Doc Yak serial). He was athletic, played football, ran track and was taught to box in the ring by his Uncle Dan Clemente. He was fast with his fists and fast on his feet, even into his elderly years. His high school fight record was 36-2.

Worked as a ranch hand, milked cows, and broke horses for Les Mitchell. Enlisted in the US Army at age 15. Graduated high school after returning from the Army. Worked as a carpenter building dams from Nebraska to California, and homes for auto workers in Detroit. Was invited to factory work in Detroit making springs for the automotive industry, employed by Associated Springs, (a Barnes Gibson Raymond company).

He befriended local farmers in Michigan and began raising produce of his own. Abandoned factory work and carpentry to become a full time farmer. Specialized in growing sweet corn, vine crop and pumpkins for wholesale and retail throughout Wayne and Washtenaw County, Michigan. Raised flowers and vegetable plants in the greenhouse for retail.

He partnered with Thomas A. Harris in the produce business called "H and H Farm Produce" until Harris' untimely death in 1964. His business became "Okie's Fresh Farm Produce" until about 1972, "Okie and Son's Fresh Farm Produce" until 1989, and finally "Okie and Mary's Market". Okie provided sweet corn for the Plymouth Fall Festival for many years, some 16,500 ears for a one weekend event. He often commented that farmers were the biggest gamblers there were.

Okie often donated farm produce by the truck load to the local Catholic orphanage, so "the little fellers had something to eat".

Loving husband and inspirational father of eight children. Okie raised many children in the community who were not his own, providing them jobs and teaching them clean moral values and an unforgettable work ethic. He possessed an indomitable spirit and great intestinal fortitude. He never displayed any fear, was his own man, replete with courage and mentally tough, he never backed down from a challenge. Okie was determined. He had grit. He did what he wanted to do, deliberate in his purpose. He was small in stature but had no problem telling you what was on his mind.

A regular morning customer at Bode's Restaurant in Plymouth, he could be found "holding court" and having coffee after returning from the Eastern Market in downtown Detroit.

Okie was a kitchen table philosopher, he had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. He was proud of his children and grandchildren, and loved to speak of their achievements. He shared many anecdotes and told many stories from his youth. Okie was respected and befriended by many, missed by all who knew him.

Was cremated after death. Ashes interred in Kentucky on April 27, 2000 in St.Henry's Catholic Church cemetery Aurora, KY until April 5, 2016 when relocated to Plymouth, Michigan. Final interment at Riverside Cemetery in the same burial site as wife Mary on June 13, 2016.

Note: The deeply recessed dimpled cheeks are a trait found on the Tucker side of the family.

Original photos owned by 47650891 and are not to be used for profit or monetary gain. Submitted by WECMG.

Some of his friends were Delmar and Denver Cockrum, Elwin "Jack" Bicknell, Thomas Albert Harris, Walter "Cobby" Forsythe, George Dollins, Billy Maddux and many cousins, such as Sam Perfetto and the Lardi brothers.

His obituary from the Canton Observer dated 15 Apr 1999 reads:
ULOS 'OKIE' HAMBLIN JR. Services for Ulos "Okie" Hamblin Jr., 68, of Plymouth Township will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 16, in St. Kenneth Catholic Church with the Rev. Joseph Mallia officiating. Local arrangements were made by the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, Plymouth. He was born Sept. 16, 1930, in Hartshorne, Okla. He died on April 12 in Plymouth Township. He moved to Michigan in 1950. He began farming 41 years ago. He owned and operated Okie and Mary's Market in Plymouth Township. He also owned the Okie's U-Pick Pumpkin Patch on North Territorial and Ridge roads, which is now the location of Temple Baptist Church. He also owned Okie's of Fenton, Mich. He grew sweet corn for the Fall Festival and made chicken dinners for many years. He grew and shipped pumpkins to many A&P stores all over the South. He loved western books and movies. He also enjoyed "killing time" at Bode's restaurant in Plymouth. He was preceded in death by his father, Ulos Hamblin Sr., one son, John Hamblin; and stepfather, Elmo Trueblood. Survivors include his wife, Mary Hamblin of Plymouth Township; his mother, Amelia Trueblood of McAlester, Okla.; eight children. Bill (Brenda) Hamblin of Adams, Tenn., James (Jackie) Hamblin of Dexter, Ky., George Hamblin of Richmond, Mich., Robert Hamblin of Plymouth, Stephen Hamblin of Ashland City, Tenn., Adra (Thomas) Erwin of South Lyon, Lou Ann Hamblin of Belleville, Pam Hamblin of Plymouth; three brothers, Keith Hamblin of California, Ronald Trueblood of Saudi Arabia; Kit Edward Hamblin of California, two sisters Mary Howard of Santa Ynez, Calif., Beverly Trueblood of Hartshorne, Okla.; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.