John Mark Du Hamel

John was a beloved father, son, brother, man of God, co-worker and friend to many. His energy and love for life will always be felt by everyone he has touched.

John was born on June 1, 1961 to Paul John and Juanita Dawn (Hargraves) DuHamel. He was born at the US Naval Hospital, Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Until he was four, John lived in Orange Park, Florida and then moved to the Westside of Jacksonville. John had an older brother, Preston Phillip, a younger brother Kevin Paul and a younger sister Stephanie Louise.

John began his education at Jacksonville Heights Elementary School. During his five years of elementary school, John used his baby blue eyes to charm even the sternest teachers. John joined the Cub Scouts (Cub Pack 304), and progressed through WEBLOS’s and Boy Scouts.

In 1972, the school system as John knew it changed. Busing was instituted in the South, and John was one of the first group of students exposed to the new system. John attended Smart Pope Livingston for the sixth grade and Eugene J. Butler for seventh grade where he started to learn to play the baritone in seventh grade. He continued in the junior high school band at Jefferson Davis for his eighth and ninth grade years.

John attended senior high school at Nathan Bedford Forrest. John was a member of the Rebel Brigade (marching band) from September 1976 through June of 1979 when he graduated from senior high school.

After high school, John began working for Winn Dixie before joining the United States Air Force in August of 1981. He left for basic training in September 1981. On completion, he attended Communication Tower Maintenance Technical School. In early 1982, John was assigned to overseas service in Panama for two years. While in Panama, John traveled many places in South America servicing communication systems for the Air Force.

John’s love for fishing was established in his childhood as he and his siblings fished with their grandfathers and was reinforced with deep sea expeditions in Panama. John also became a certified diver in Panama and shared more than once that he loved being able to dive in the Pacific and the Atlantic all in the same weekend.

After John returned to the United States, he was stationed Biloxi, Mississippi for the remaining eighteen months of his service obligation. During that time, he traveled all over the United States to include Salt Lake City, Utah where he learned to snow ski and Coco Beach, Florida where he perfected his surf fishing technique. John left the Air Force in late 1985 and served in the Inactive Reserve until 1987.

John met the love of his life, Maria Elena Salas at a barbeque in spring of 1987. They dated for two and half years before they were married on August 26th of 1989 at the Fellowship Christian Church of San Marco in Jacksonville, Florida. They lived in Mandarin and had their first child, Logan Paul on the 24th of January 1992. Their second child, Daniela Isabel on the 21st of November 1995 which completed their family.

For their first three years, they lived in an apartment complex on Monument Road. They then relocated to their first home on Loretto Road.

Logan started playing T-ball at the age of six and John never missed an opportunity to share enthusiasm and skills with Logan and ensure he was learning the game and having fun. Logan played T-ball for two years. Logan’s most memorable game was when he hit a Grand Slam homerun and John was so very proud him. He also participated in soccer and football. When Logan was playing football, John also assisted with coaching. It was at this time when they grew very close. It was said that even though the team was not the great, they had the most fun.

Daniela began ballet at the age of four and John never missed a recital or performance. John was so proud of his beautiful little girl. So, even though Daniela was great at ballet, John felt it was important that Daniela take Tae Kwon Do classes and would brag about how she was a second degree black belt. Dani was also John’s motorcycle riding buddy. They would take weekend trips to places like St. Augustine, Florida. She will always be Daddy’s little girl.

His children meant the world to him.

John began working at Medtronics in 1992. He worked in many different departments including production, shipping and customer relations. During John’s 24 years with Medtronics, he built many friendships. He always had a positive outlook and was willing to share a joke or two to his co-workers. He would always volunteer to bring a unique dish and participate in company events. He was truly loved by his work family.

John was a man of God and held true to his Christian faith his entire life. John’s mother would read Bible stories and sing songs to him and his siblings when they were young. John’s knowledge of those stories were evident throughout his life. He gave his life to the Lord as a young man. John found a church home at Christ Church where he attended services. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, taught Sunday school classes to the youth, and assisted with the boy’s middle school program. John was such a caring and generous man, always thing of others and how he could help. John was always ready to lend a helping hand, and if asked, he would simply smile and say “I live to serve”.

Though John was only 54 years old, he was a very loving man with an infectious personality. He would make those around him smile and take life a little less serious. He leaves behind many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews and a multitude of friends.

John’s sign is up now “Gone Fishing”! You are deeply missed, we cannot wait to see you again and hear all your new jokes. Until then, the fish are always biting in heaven and your motorcycle rides will be majestic.

Please Sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 4th from 3-5:00 pm at Hardage-Giddens Hendricks Chapel, located at 4115 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville FL 32207. Funeral services will follow at 5:00pm. Please Sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.