John Robert Hamel

John Robert (JR) Hamel, 58 passed away suddenly, Saturday, June 24, 2017 in Tampa, FL with his loving wife, Jiqian (Susie) Xu-Hamel by his side. John and Susie were married December 19, 1989. John lived a colorful life which started in Mattoon, Illinois on April 30, 1959, the son of Wm. B. Hamel, Jr. and the late Mary E. Hamel. After graduation from Mattoon High School in 1977, John received his bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business from the University of Illinois and was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Law school was John’s next adventure, graduating from Northern Illinois University, College of Law in 1985. He was first admitted to the Georgia Bar and then the Florida Bar in 1991. John loved helping the underdog and was active in the Chinese Christian Alliance Church of Tampa Bay. John loved his food plain, but his politics spicy. His interest in current events no doubt came from his many hours spent with his maternal step-grandfather, E.B. Harris playing chess, billiards or cards. With the support, strength and encouragement of the love of his life, Susie, John overcame many personal challenges. John’s sense of humor could not be matched and his insights into current events and their effect on future events was only rivaled by Nostradamus. A loving husband, son, brother and uncle, John is survived by his wife Susie, father Wm. B. (Bill) Hamel, Jr., brother Wm. B. (Trey) Hamel III and wife Belinda (Oak Park, IL), sister M. Katherine Harrington and partner Craig Walter (West Des Moines, IA), step-brothers Jeff and Mark Armantrout, 7 nieces and nephews and a step-niece and step-nephew. Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2017 from 10am to 10:45am with a service beginning at 10:45am at Blount and Curry Funeral Home- MacDill Chapel, 605 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, FL 33609 (813) 876-2421. A memorial celebration will be held in Mattoon, IL on Saturday, July 22, 2017 location TBA. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Chinese Christian Alliance Church of Tampa Bay, 312 E. 127th Ave., Tampa, FL 33612 in memory of John for mission work.