Rocky Lee Hamlin, 61, of Vero Beach, passed away on Aug. 15, 2015.
He is survived by his wife, Sherry, of Vero Beach; his children, Shannon Hamlin Hall (Rick) of Vero Beach, Brett W. Hamlin (Marcie) of Port St. Lucie, and Brittany L. Hamlin of Vero Beach; granddaughter Tiffany Hamlin and grandson Blake Hamlin.
His is predeceased by his parents, William R. Hamlin and Mary Hamlin and his only sibling, a brother, Connie R. Hamlin.
Hamlin was born on Jan. 11, 1954, in Greenville, Miss., and moved to Vero Beach when he was three. He and his high school sweetheart, Sherry, were married in 1973 – for a span of 42 years.
For 21 years, from 1973 to 1994, Hamlin was a normal husband and loving father to his three children. He was a very devoted family man and was a telephone installer for Southern Bell. He attended his kids’ sports and activities, loved camping, vacationing in Blairsville, Ga., antiques, flea markets and attending the Fighting Indian Football games to watch his son play.
He was active in First Church of God, a member of the YMCA’s Indian Guides and Princesses, enjoyed showing his two antique mustangs with the Treasure Coast Mustang Club and was in a reptile club. Through Southern Bell, he played Santa at Hope Rural School in Indiantown for several years. He never met a stranger.
Hamlin and Sherry were involved in a hit-and-run accident by a drunken driver in 1994 which left him with a severe brain injury, paralysis and other health problems. In that instant, Sherry lost her spouse and companion and the children their father. Instead, during the second, very challenging 21-year phase, from 1994 to 2015, Hamlin emerged from his coma to permanently become the children’s younger brother and Sherry’s youngest child and the family grew to know and love this new member of their family that now lived in Hamlin’s broken body.
His new interests were playing bingo, kindergarten word games and puzzles, watching TV, eating and drinking ice tea and being with his family. He had no short-term memory, so was unable to remember anything, including family activities and milestones, the year and his age.
He did not comprehend what he had lost mentally and physically and could usually be found upbeat and flashing his charming smile.
Hamlin recently suffered a major stroke, ultimately resulting in his death. This was attributed to his original brain injury sustained from the drunken driver in 1994. He was under Hospice care, which was a tremendous support and was greatly appreciated.
Upon his death, his loving family will remember and mourn the loss of Rocky I from before the accident and Rocky II from after the accident, two distinctly different individuals.
There will be a Memorial Service on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 3 p.m., at First Church of God, 1105 58th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32966 (772) 562-2256 (corner of 58th Avenue and 12th Street).
Immediately following the memorial service, there will be a Celebration of Life, which will include refreshments and memorabilia tables, etc. All friends and family invited.
In lieu of flowers, please consider the financial needs of the family. Donations may be directed to the Hamlin family and will be handled by First Church of God in Vero Beach.