Jim, or “Chief” Hamblin as many knew him, a dedicated volunteer firefighter for 70 years and a beloved father and husband, passed away peacefully Aug. 26, 2024, at the age of 94.
Born Sept. 23, 1929, to Marguerite Ivy and William James, Jim led a life marked by selfless service and unwavering commitment. He is remembered for his extraordinary dedication to his community, where he served as a volunteer firefighter for a remarkable seven decades.
He was married three times throughout his life. His first wife, Margorie, his second wife, Erma, and his third wife, Marion, each played a significant role in his journey.
Jim was a lifelong baseball fan, playing for Greenville High School and recognized as a young man to be very skilled in the sport, with an offer to play at a minor-league level. Later in life, Jim could be found coaching youth in Greenville. He was a lifelong New York Yankee fan, and he rarely missed a game on television. For many years, Jim and his family would spend time at spring training in Arizona.
Jim enjoyed camping with his family, taking many trips to California and Oregon. Anyone who camped with him knew that he was always prepared with the right tools and supplies for the job, and he even brought his own TV so he could tune into the Yankee game. He also enjoyed Glen Miller’s big band music and would find a way onto the dance floor when he had an opportunity.
Jim was a hard-working man, operating the town garage and known as an excellent mechanic. He also spent time managing and maintaining local sewer systems and sitting on community boards.
It was as a volunteer firefighter for Indian Valley that Jim made the most significant impact on his community. He joined the fire department right out of high school and officially retired from duty at the age of 88, making him the longest-serving firefighter in the country. This served as an inspiration to many others as he spent his life listening to the scanner and responding to calls to help those in need day or night. He was recognized at both a 60 and 70 years of service, gathering in his community and received awards, testimonials, and letters of recognition from the state of California and the US House of Representatives.
Jim was preceded in death by his beloved brother, William Kenneth, who lost his life in World War II; his daughter Cathy in 2021; and his wife Marion in 2021. He is survived by his son Dick; grandchildren Rick, Steve, Rebecca, Richard, and Liz; great-grandchildren Sage, Lewis, Richie, Hai’Lee, Payton, Preston, Sydney, Logan, Jackson, and Evelyn; great–great grandchild ZayDn, as well as those as part of his lives with Erma and Marion. Jim was proud of and took care of his family.
He will be remembered for his service, strength, mentorship, leadership, and the incredible mark he left on the community of Greenville. His legacy of service and love will continue to inspire those who knew him.
A memorial service will be held in his honor at 1 p.m. Sept. 28, 2024, at Greenville Cemetery, with a reception and potluck to follow at the Taylorsville Historic Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jim’s memory to the Greenville Taylorsville Volunteer Firefighters Association, PO Box 304, Taylorsville, CA 95983, 951-205-5080 or 530-310-1818.
