John Robert Hamel

John was born on January 15, 1956, to Alice Virginia Clayton and Robert Eugene Hamel while Robert was serving in the Air Force in Japan. The family – which grew to include five children – eventually settled in Annandale, VA.

John graduated from Annandale High School and began working in auto glass replacement. He and a partner eventually opened their own business, Nova Glass, which they successfully ran for many years.

John had two children, born 21 years apart. He was a young father when son Jason arrived in 1978, and he later beat lung cancer before becoming a father again to daughter Alice in 1999.

His children (and the Washington Commanders, when they were good) were his pride and joy.

Jason’s love of the outdoors traces back to a childhood spent camping and adventuring with his father. John also passed on his devotion to the Commanders to his son; both had season tickets for years.

Alice’s talent in soccer was evident at a young age, and her father delighted in cheering her on from the sidelines and chauffeuring her to every practice, game or tournament – no matter how far.

John also was a fan of Virginia Tech, where both of his children graduated from, and where Alice played soccer. His children fondly recall trips to the top of Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park and the Outer Banks in North Carolina – but only in the off-season when their frugal father could get a better deal.

Those who knew him attest to John’s loyal and outgoing nature. He was hard-working and humble. He was also stubborn, but kind. And he loved food and food shows, but rarely cooked himself.

John had immense pride in his two grandsons, ages 16 and 10, and loved hearing about Ty’s theater shows and Kelton’s basketball games.

John is survived by his two children: Jason Hamel (partner Amalie Nash) of Parker, CO, and Alice Hamel of Denver, CO; and two grandsons, Payton (known as Ty) and Kelton Hamel; and four siblings: Douglas (wife Janet) Hamel of Houston, TX, Elizabeth (known as Liz) Hamel of Columbia, SC, and Cathy Hamel (partner Keith Davis) of Springfield,VA. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sibling, Jeff Hamel.

A memorial service will be planned at a later date this spring. Arrangements by Demaine Funeral Home in Springfield, VA.