James Hamblin
July 28, 1949 ~ July 8, 2023
James 'Jim' Hamblin, 73, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Birthday Party and Celebration of Life: 1-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at Shores Event Center, 700 16th Street NE Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon (Sherry) Hamblin; children, Jim Hamblin Jr. and Kasey (Todd) Bell; grandchildren, Brittany Marie Bell and Caleb James Bell; brothers, Richard P. (Cristy) Hamblin and Jeffrey L. Hamblin; special childhood friends, Steve Spicher and Jim Baugh; and many special friends and family.
Jim was born July 28, 1949, the son of Richard and Glenna (Trimpe) Hamblin. He married Sharon Willis on September, 20, 1969. Jim earned his Associates Degree in Automotive Mechanics and went on to own Jim's Tune up Service for 39 years and it continues on.
His joys were hunting, trap shooting, fishing, drag racing, ham radio operating, rescuing dogs, going on family vacations, camping, bicycling, watching grandkids play soccer, and most importantly spending time with family and friends. Jim was a member of Jack's Garage Group, Calvary Baptist Church, and the co-founder of Buick GS Club of Iowa. He was also the writer of The Adventures of Gus the Black Labrador.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and special childhood friend, Doug Trachta.
The family has requested no flowers, memorials may be made to Last Hope Animal Rescue, Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids, or Adopt A Pal, Cedar Rapids.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids
He always had the best stories about gus. He loved those dogs
I’m so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Great guy and a world of information. Best Wishes to all Family and Friends. R.I.P. Dog lovers are the best.
I’m in shock! My heartfelt sympathies go out to Jim’s family! I’ve been friends with Jim for over 55 years, and he was always a gentleman and a person to have great conversations with! He gave me some great tips at the shooting range, and even allowed me to try out his guns! He kept my old car running for 36 years and was never one to gouge a person! I couldn’t feel worse than if my own brother passed on! Again, my love and heartfelt sympathies go out to Jim’s wife, Sherry and his family! Lan
So sorry for your loss. He always able to help us with our antique cars-he was great guy. I hope that you will remember the smiles & treasure the memories & I hope this will give you some comfort.
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was the most trust worthy mechanic, and all around good guy. Thinking of the family at this sad time.
I am so sorry for the loss of a great brother-in-law and a great friend. From the days that we (Len Jim, Sharon Randie) all ran around together and did some crazy stuff to the days of drag racing together. There were many good memories that will live in our lives forever. I will miss the many stories of the adventures of Gus. They always brightened my day. Love you all and I will be here if you should need anything.
What a super person. Always enjoyed the dog stories and visitors at the shop.
Knew him since high school.
Blessings to the family…. Those with two feet…. And those with four.
So sorry for the loss of a very kind man. He ALWAYS took care of the Murrays whenever we needed anything done to our cars. Loved our chats about youth sports and family.
I have known Jim for 40 years, and we have had some great times as friends and with our group of friends and family. Jim was the most mild tempered man I have ever met, always sharing his knowledge, his wisdom and himself with anyone in need of it. His love of animals far and above is what I will remember him for though the past 20 years. Stray animals in need of homes were cared for by the Hamblins many times. Always a gentleman…… Jim, you will be missed.
Mike Atwood
Tim and I are saddened by Jim’s passing and send condolences to the family. In the 15 years we have lived in Iowa, Jim’s Automotive was our go to car repair, Amateur radio discussions chat place and friendly place to visit Jim, Jeff and the rest of the repair shop staff. We wish you some peace during this difficult transitional time. Tim and Rose O’Hara and family
Jim was a great friend. My son Jason and I were members of the SPEED SHOP SHOOT OUT TEAM which we won for JIM. Spent a lot of time with JIM and have some great memories.
I was one of the likely thousands of people who Jim helped over the years at Jim’s Tune Up. I was always treated kindly and fairly by Jim and everyone at the shop. He helped keep my old car safe and driveable during the years I was a single mom and couldn’t afford much for maintenance, much less a new vehicle. My sincerest condolences to Jim’s family and friends. He was truly a great man in all the ways that matter!
Jim will truly be missed. Always loved seeing him on the sidelines of his grandkids soccer games cheering them and their teammates on, taking pictures, scooting them around on his scooter, and just being good ol loveable grandpa to all. He had the best stories and was quite the jokester on his Facebook page or running in to him out and about, and he Loved, Loved, Loved his family and all those pups. Give Gus a hug from us Jim – We will miss you.
The Kanellis Family
I am so sorry for you and your family
Sorry for your guys lost Jim was truly a wonderful person. Thanks for all you did sir
I had the pleasure of knowing Jim through the shop. I recently had the pleasure of having a lengthy conversation with him at the shop. It was a bonus to have a dog to pet at the shop as well and he loved his animals very much. I don’t think there was a mean bone in this guy’s body; he spoke highly of everyone, especially his family. He will be greatly missed and I’ll miss his voice and presence at the shop.
I always enjoyed Jim at soccer games with Brittany and Todd. He took awesome pictures. Such a nice nice man with a kind heart. So sorry for your loss.
I will miss his comments and pictures of his pets. Great animal supporter and lover❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏
Jim and his older brother Rick were both in my home room due to my being held back and repeating my senior year. A long friendship. My high school antics with Jim were revisited often while my car was being worked on. I will miss him. My regards to his family.
Franklin Hanson
To Jim’s Family, Like so many others I was fortunate to be one of Jim’s long-time customers. I have rarely encountered a more interesting, kind and honest person who truly cared about his customers’ safety and well-being. Jim was one of a kind and I thank God for sharing him with us. May his love sustain you in the times to come.
Our family will miss him dearly. I still can’t believe he is gone!! In shock! I.got the honor of making him his favorite saurkraut salad at our family Christmas party in return for all the graciousness he showered our family with. Anytime I was going car shopping, I would proudly tell the salesman “I have to get my Uncle’s approval before I can buy it.” They would ask ” Who is your Uncle?” I would tell them and they would respond “Oh, I know Jim!!” Of course they did. EVERYONE IN CEDAR RAPIDS KNEW MY UNCLE JIM!! RIP Jim. Give my Dad a hug.
I got to know Jim through the shop. Four years ago, we moved to Colorado. I would still call him with car questions! Condolences to his family and friends.
Jim was my go to fix my cars & trucks. We also hit it off when he found out I was collecting Ia redemable cans and plastic bottles for Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids. He and his crew saved them for me to pick up. I will continue to go to the shop.
He had the biggest heart for his dogs. I will miss his sence of humor.
Sorry to hear of the passing of Jim. we were facebook friends. He always commented on my beautiful black lab, and always loved i was his Aussie mate. hugs to you all.
We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Sharon and family at this time.
Donna and Brian Novey
So sorry to have read of Jim’s death. We didn’t know Jim but from all the comments we have seen he was a wonderful person and truly loved by many. He touched so many lives and will be thought of often and never forgotten. May all your good memories outweigh your sadness during this difficult time. Something that we have found to be of great comfort are the thoughts expressed in the Bible at John 5:28 “all those in the memorial tombs will hear his (Jesus) voice and come out “. May God Jehovah give strength and his love to each of you always.
Great guy
I remember those days on the quarter mile we had a blast.
Uncle Jim was a wonderful person, would do anything for you if he could. His love and care of his pets was beyond phenomenal. He will truly be missed.
Where to start. Jim and I have been best friends since the 3rd grade. Buds through all those younger years and into high school. We continued to hangout together. We cruised the avenue together. We worked on our cars together. Jim was my best man at our wedding. After he got married the four of us continued as best friends. The four us played cards together, and we bowled on a bowling league together. Jim and I also hunted, shot trap and handguns together. In 1999, my wife and I retired and moved to Florida, and our friendship stayed strong. When we came home, we got together. And thanks to social media, we were in contact a lot. I take the death of Jim very personal. So sorry for his family that lost a great man in theirs lives. He’s gone, but never will be forgotten.
Jim has and will be one of the best and honest man. I had gone to him since 1979 for my vehicles n he would never screw anyone over like most out there. We would always talk n I will miss his smile
Jim was a kind Christian man, who ran his auto repair business in a ethical fair way to all who came in the door at Jim’s Tuneup. Jim’s Bible study group call Jim’s Garage Group was a group of Christian men who meet on Thur night with good conversation and Bible study. He will be missed, by all who knew him. He also loved dogs. and had stories about them.
Tom Kincheloe
It was many years ago and Jim he started me and ham Radio you gave me a 2 m handy cocky and told me don’t you dare say anything on it and you laughed we met while I was working security with Kelly security at the Cedar Rapids country club we were on citizens band radio we had a lot of fun back in those days went out target shooting we went out hunting. Lotta fun times you were a great guy to hang with. Remember stopping by your place of business there on 2nd Ave. you were trying to unlock a car and had been trying to unlock it for a long time I pulled up ask if you needed some help you said yes I had it open in two seconds , miss you buddy and I’ll miss hanging around with you