Albert Raymond Hamlin

All who knew Al Hamlin would agree that he was the heartbeat of wherever he went. He loved having fun, and making others love life as much as he did was perhaps his greatest passion. Al was deeply devoted to his family, and he was happiest when surrounded by their love. He loved heading out on the open road on his motorcycle, and he also found happiness just working in his garden. Described as a crazy guy with a contagious zest for life, Al will never be forgotten. The 1950s were an exciting time in American history. Televisions were becoming part of our homes, Elvis Presley became a household name, and by the end of the decade we became a nation of 50 states with the addition of both Alaska and Hawaii. It was during this eventful time that Harley and Beverly Hamlin learned they would be growing their family. They were filled with great anticipation as the holiday season began in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in November of 1958 as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby. Their wait was finally over on November 29th when the baby boy they named Albert drew his first breath. The youngest of six, he joined his older siblings, Jerry, Chuck, Linda, Tom, and Rich in the Hamlin clan. Al’s siblings always said that as the baby of the family he was the spoiled one. His father was a truck driver while his mother was an inspector at National Waterlift. In many ways Al was a young boy of his generation. He spent his earliest years in Kalamazoo, but when he was 10 their family moved to the Mattawan area. As a boy Al played Little League baseball, and he attended local schools including Paw Paw High School. He left high school to work for Welchs Foods, and he made his entire career there. Al worked there for over 32 years before retiring. There were so many things that Al enjoyed over the years. Having lived in the Paw Paw area, he was able to spend a lot of time with family. Pets were always a part of his life, and he was a dog lover who cherished the companionship of his dog, Luna. He loved riding his motorcycle, and he was known to take off on trips on his bike on a regular basis. Al loved golfing, eating tacos, and he was a good cook who was most known for his outdoor grilling skills. Steak and chicken were Al’s specialties. Al was a a huge rock fan from the 70s and 80s including Bob Segar and others. At home, he enjoyed gardening during the warmer months. With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around him, Al Hamlin was a kind and steadfast presence in the lives of those around him. He had a great sense of humor and has even been described as a crazy guy as he wasn’t afraid of trying anything once. Al was always ready to pull a joke on someone, all in the name of fun. He will be remembered for his contagious smile and laugh and the huge impact in the lives of so many. Al will be forever missed. Albert Hamlin, age 61, passed away unexpectedly at home on February 22th 2020 in Paw Paw, Michigan.Al was born on November 29, 1958 to Harley and Beverly (Wickham) Hamlin. Visit with his family and friends on Saturday, March 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home - Rupert Durham Chapel: 409 S. Main St. Vicksburg MI. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. He is survived by his siblings: Jerry (Becky) Hamlin of Ft. Meyers, FL, Chuck (Jeannie) Hamlin of Strugis, MI, Linda Ranes of Vicksburg, MI, Tom Hamlin of Katy, TX and Richie Hamlin of Apache Junction, AZ; several nieces and nephews and his faithful dog Luna. Al was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law John Ranes. Al worked for Welch Foods for 32 years. He was an avid Harley rider and enjoyed golfing and spending time with his family and friends.Please visit www.mccowensecord.com where you can leave a memory for the family.