Eugene “Gene” Alan Hamaker, 62, a courageous and Godly warrior, was received into the Lord’s Kingdom on November 15, 2018 after complications arose during his heart transplant. His firm faith in God and the strong devotion to his family and friends provided him the ultimate peace and strength in his time of need.
Gene was born to the late Marion and Iva Hamaker, a farmer and a homemaker, in Spencer, SD on July 10, 1956. He was immersed in the Christian community that would be his lifelong support from an early age. As most South Dakota kids, growing up he worked on the farm and was an avid pheasant hunter. His hunting partners as a youth became lifelong friends and still meet every year in Mitchell for the Opening Weekend of Pheasant Season.
After graduating from Spencer High School, he enlisted for two years in the United States Air Force. He attended Mitchell Technical Institute where he studied Drafting and eventually took over the family farm. To supplement his income, he drove long distance semi-trucks across the United States and would meet his wife, Wanda Lorene “Lorraine” Daugherty, through his hunting buddies in Chicago, IL in 1981.
Gene married Lorraine in 1982 and fathered three children: Jeffrey in 1986, Vanessa in 1989, and Alexander in 1995. They left the farm in 1986 and started Farmer’s Trading Company and Hamaker Crop Insurance in Mitchell, SD.
Gene was a very active and involved member of the First Christian Church of Mitchell. Following the dissolution of First Christian Church, the family was welcomed into the home of Northridge Baptist Church. As an active member of both the church and community, Gene was involved in many organizations and committees. A few of these that stood out are: National Day of Prayer Committee, volunteering with the Salvation Army Christmas Fundraiser as a Bell-Ringer, Shriners Club, Mitchell Christian Golf Coach, a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Facilitator, and serving on the Mitchell Charitable Foundation.
Due to his health needs, in 2006, Spearfish, SD became home. Gene’s journey of faith grew deeper and richer, encompassing not only his wife and children, but also all those around him, at Countryside Community Church. He volunteered with Free the Black Hills at CCC as part of an effort to reduce human trafficking. In the fall of 2016, Gene travelled to Texas to provide a set of helping hands and a giving heart after the hurricane season.
As empty-nesters seeking a more active lifestyle, in 2013, Gene and Lorraine moved to Mesa, AZ where they were quickly welcomed into Via Church. Gene promptly volunteered with Via as a golf cart greeter and driver, with ACTS Homeless Ministry, and with OCJ Kids Group Homes.
Gene always made time to take family and friends to Lambeau Field for the memories of a lifetime, loved golf, and found endless joy building friendships and buying meals and ice cream for everyone!
Gene is survived by his wife, Lorraine; his sons Jeffrey (Samantha) and Alexander (Erica) Hamaker; his daughter Vanessa (Kyle) Gillogly; his grandchildren Liam and Owen Hamaker; his sister, LaVonne (Ken) Gaspar; his brothers Chellis and Alvin (Charla). He is preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Iva.
The visitation will be held at 10:30 am on November 20, 2018 at Via Church, followed by the memorial service at 11:00 am. The burial will take place at 1:30 pm at Mariposa Gardens. A second memorial service will be held in Mitchell, SD in October 2019. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the family for Gene’s Memorial Bench.
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