Alva Franklin Hamon

Al graduated from Havre High School and enlisted in the NAVY to join the fight for the country he loved in WWII. He served in the Aleutian Islands and in the South Pacific. He was injured in the Aleutian Islands when a mortar exploded, sending shrapnel into his face and blinding him. He experienced a miraculous healing in the little field hospital on Attu and regained his sight. Only a couple of days after he returned to his ship the island of Attu was attacked by the Japanese forces. The field hospital was targeted and no one there survived. God was watching out for his servant. It was not his time to go for God had much for his servant to accomplish in His name in the following 70 years.

Following his service in the military he began work as an electrician. It would be a career he would have until his retirement. Al worked as an electrician until retiring from Burke Electric in 1991. He returned to Burke when requested to complete one last special job for them. He again retired, in 1994, this time permanently (much to Joan’s delight).

In addition to working full time (plus) as an electrician he had begun his higher calling at age 7,.following his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. After studying in Bible College he entered into the ministry. His passion was to tell everyone about the love of Jesus Christ and lead them down the path to salvation. He was a full time minister as well as a full time electrician. He was instrumental in starting several churches, supporting missionaries, was involved in prison ministries and missionary efforts into China with his wife Joan.

Al fell in love with the daughter of the new minister of the 6th Avenue Christian Church upon his return to Havre from his military service. He and Joan Kathryn Hall were married on June 5, 1949. They were married for 50 years before her death in 1999. Al and Joan had three children; Michael, Shawna and Kimberly. The majority of his life was spent in the Puget Sound area preaching and supporting his family.

After Joan’s death he lived alone for a couple of years then moved in with his youngest daughter Kimberly. He enjoyed his last years immensely. He continued to be active in his support of missions, churches, and took on his self proclaimed role of “ranch hand” on the mini farm where he now lived. He enjoyed strolling the fields with the dogs, caring for the chickens and coddling the horse.

He frequently visited Mike and Shawna and the grandchildren as well. He would drive to visit Mike in nearby Lynnwood where they would talk for hours. He would also occasionally drive to Oregon to visit Shawna and her family. In his later years he curtailed his driving to more local territory. He loved to drive the country and frequently did to see his siblings in Montana, Colorado, Missouri, until age caused him to remain closer to home. He saw the odometer on his car turn over 460,000 miles. He had that travelling bug!

Al had a wonderful life. His last day was spent happily. He chuckled, reminisced with stories of him and Joan, his buddies that he had worked with at Burke Electric, his escapades with his little brother Butch and said to Kim just minutes before the end “You know? I really have had a lot of fun!”. He chuckled with that impish spark in his eyes as he said it. 20 minutes later he was gone.

Al was a very special man with a passion for following the Lord. He was the very definition of a “good and faithful servant”. He was a kind, gentle, wise, loving, man with a fire in his belly to promote the word of God. He had 2 primary loves of his life, the first was Jesus Christ, the second was his wife Joan. He is now with both of them. He is exactly where he has wanted to be since the death of his beloved wife. We are happy for him although it will be very hard to be on this earth without him. He will be sorely missed by his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, the numerous nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers in law and cherished friends. We take comfort in knowing that we will be joining him someday in the arms of our Lord and Savior. Our time in this world is but temporary. Our prize is to spend eternity with God and all of the many loved ones who have gone on before us. We rejoice knowing that day will come and we will all be together again.

Michael, Shawna and Kimberly thank each and every one of you for being a special part of Dad’s life. This world has lost a wonderful man but he is shining in God’s glory now in Heaven.