Donald E. Shamblin, Sr., 81, of Tampa, died on December 22, 2013 at James Haley Veterans Hospital.
Born in Centralia, WV and graduated from Sutton High School in 1950. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, YMCA and Family First Prayer Group and the DAV. He moved here from West Virginia in 1960. He retired from Reynolds Aluminum Can Plant after 32 years of service. He was a tri-athlete and enjoyed swimming, cycling, sailing, hiking among his many recreational activities. He and his wife were world travelers.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Alma; son, Dr. Donald E. Shamblin II and his wife, Mary; as well as two grandchildren, Heather and Parker of St. Pete Beach, FL.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Wesley Memorial UMC, 6100 Memorial Highway, Tampa. Interment with military honors will be presented at 12:45 PM on Monday, January 13th at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg. He served his God and Country with honor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Please sign the guestbook below.
I will miss Don very much.
We have lost a wonderful friend and a good man today. We will not be the same without this fine friend. We know that you are with your Christ for ever more. Rest in peace my friend.
Vernon, Yolanda and Hunter
Don was the best neighbor we could have!! He & Gene were always together outside figuring out how to do things and helping each other. When Gene got sick Don was always right there to help me out with anything I needed. At our last ALS picnic in March, Don showed up proudly with his new skis, so happy with his find. He will be missed. My prayers to Alma & family.
Alma and family, so sorry for your loss. May you find peace and happiness in the memories you shared with Don. May you find the strength needed to carry on.
Alma and Family, So sorry to hear for your great loss. May God Bless and Comfort you. He was a fine man and will be greatly missed.
From our family to yours, our deepest condolences. Don will be missed at our monthly men’s group bible study.
May you rest in peace faithful servant.
Alma and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Don was a wonderful man who served his country and his God with honor. I consider it a privilege to have known Don and called him my friend. I pray for God’s comfort and strength for you and the family.
To Alma & Family:
It was an honor to have met Don through Wesley UMC and our men’s group. His strength and energy was amazing and he could always be counted on to lighten any conversation with funny, relevant & often irreverent comments. Don always spoke with pride of his family. He was a pleasure to be around and he will be missed. .
Mrs. Shamblin & Donny, We are so sad for your loss. We have so many great childhood memories of Mr. Shamblin and your family from the old neighborhood. We will cherish those memories forever. We love you and we are praying for both of you.