July 19, 2001 Volume 23 No. 29
Christy Wayne Hamaker
In the early morning hours of July 15, 2001, Christy Wayne Hamaker, of American Fork, rejoined his eternal companion in the presence in the presence of the Lord, just two days shy of his 87th birthday.Wayne was born July 17, 1914 in Vernal, Utah, to LeVan and Mary Elizabeth Jenkins Hamaker. He was the third child in a family of thirteen.
As a young boy, he spent his time working on the family farm. He and his older brother often hired out to other farms and ranchers at grown-man's wages even though they were just boys. He attended school in the Uinta Basin and at just 5'10" was the tallest man on the basketball team. He was also a boxer and fought in the ring until he became eligible to fight for the Golden Glove. At that time he made the decision to quit boxing as he didn't want his hands to be considered deadly weapons.
He married Lola Elizabeth Fillingim October 10, 1940. They were later divorced. He married Edith Grace Baxter Colton October 17, 1952. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple October 21, 1967. Grace passed away March 11, 2000.
He loved to build and work with his hands. He spent many hours working with Grace's grandfather remodeling homes in the American Fork area. He retired from US Steel in 1979 after working 25 years as a heavy duty diesel mechanic. He also worked many years as an auto mechanic and in the coal mines.
He loved to travel. He and Grace were able to visit almost all of the 50 states, including Hawaii. He had a knack for writing poetry and had well over 150 poems which he had penned. He loved to garden and watch things grow. Many people looked forward every summer to his delicious raspberries. His walnut tree was his pride and joy.
Wayne is survived by two daughters and one son: Elaine (Max) Robinson, Pace, FL; Joyce Street, Pl. Grove; Roger Colton, Pl. Grove; 16 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; four brothers and two sisters: Charles Hamaker, Marysville, CA; Weston Hamaker, Sacramento, CA; Martin Hamaker, Price, UT; Marvin Hamaker, Roosevelt, UT; Morna Winkelman, Salt Lake City; Ora (William) Buckley, Tom's River, NJ; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who all feel a great void left by his passing. He was preceded in death by his wife; a daughter, JoAnn Isakson; an infant son; two grandchildren; three brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services will be Friday, July 20, 2001, at 11:00 a.m. at the American Fork 25th Ward Chapel, 445 East 300 North. Friends and family may call Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork; and at the church Friday one hour prior to the services. Burial, American Fork City Cemetery.