On August 1, 2026, John Paul Hamble of Stillwater, Oklahoma passed away at his home after a long illness. Officially known as the “Commander of the Remote”, John has flipped to his last channel and pulled out of the station.

Born to John K. and Rama Lea Hamble in Stillwater, Oklahoma on September 29, 1954, his height was always a source of constant wonder. Given that his parents were of a diminutive stature, any resemblance to the walking gait and beard of the local mailman, though purely coincidental, were enough to ensure that he was an only child.

After working for the City of Stillwater and the Electric Utility for 47 years, John retired in 2023. A certified Renaissance man and an aggressive collector of all things mechanical, John spent his last 50 years flawlessly executing a strategy to replace all living space in his home with literary treasures. He was a man of immense knowledge, boundless curiosity, and an absolute refusal to ever throw away a single piece of paper. His extensive knowledge included knowing more curse words than most people learn in two lifetimes.

His true passion lay in all things that rolled, flew or shot. His home stands as a living monument to this obsession. He leaves behind an unprecedented, dust covered collection of Air Classics, Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazettes and Single Action Shooting magazines that date back half a century - each one meticulously stacked and absolutely off-limits to anyone wielding a recycling bin.

If he wasn't reading about history, he was building it in HOn3 scale. John was a master model builder, a hobby that requires laser-focused precision, infinite patience, and a total acceptance of tiny brass parts permanently embedding themselves into the bottom of his family’s bare feet.

When the modeling world couldn't hold his attention, he moved to the garage to battle his true nemesis, the “Jeep project." John firmly believed that a rusted, non-functioning Jeep chassis wasn't a neighborhood eyesore, but rather a beautiful canvas that just needed another ten years of weekend labor.

Famously opinionated and short-tempered, John was very adept at cussing. He liked four-letter words as much as he liked four-wheel drive Jeeps and pickups. He was also known for his timeless words of wisdom including gems such as, “If you want to live forever then don’t stop breathing.”

Death came for him several times in his later years, but John proficiently ignored it. Finally, God said, “No – I’m serious. You need to come with me.” Ever ready for an argument, John agreed with the stipulation he could bring his extensive ball cap collection

Having decided imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery, John leaves behind no offspring. He does leave behind his profoundly patient spouse, Debbie, who spent 37 years successfully navigating a domestic obstacle course of model train tracks, ammunition boxes, and Jeep parts that were serving as temporary living room furniture.

A celebration of life will be held on August 25th from 5:00 - 7:00 at Strode Funeral Home in Stillwater. Per his request, half of his ashes will be placed in a niche at Stillwater Fairlawn Cemetery columbarium. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements. The remaining half of his ashes, mixed with those of his favorite pets, will be snuck into the trainyards of Chama and Durango, the mesa area of Grand Junction and, per the Border Collies demand, the sheep fields of the Wet Mountain Valley. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite Humane Society or bring a heavy-duty storage bin, a roll of bubble wrap, or a flatbed tow truck to help his widow reclaim the garage.

Suits and ties are not allowed at John's visitation. Jeans, T-shirts and tennis shoes are the recommended attire.

Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.