Tracy Eugene (Gene) Hamblet Jr.

Colonel Tracy (Gene) E. Hamblet Jr. died July 13, 2020, in Rapid City, SD.

Tracy was born November 12, 1941, in Sturgis, SD where he graduated from Sturgis High School in 1959. He earned a Bachelor's degree from Liberty University in Virginia.

Tracy enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard as a private during his senior year of high school and retired from the military 37 years later as a Colonel. He was a full-time employee for the National Guard for 28 of his 37- year career. He retired from the military November 30, 1996. After retirement and to the date of his passing, he pursued several successful business opportunities to include Dakota Hardscapes, Turf and Erosion Solutions, Dust Control Contractors and B&H Hardscapes Manufacturing.

His military education included the Army's Officer Basic Engineer School, Officer Basic Medical School, Rotor Wing Flight School, Advanced Officer Engineer School, Pre- Command School, Fixed Wing and Multi Engine Flight School, and Command and General Staff College.

In addition to numerous staff positions, he was the first commander of the newly federal recognized 1085 ^th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance). He went on to command HW's Det, 137 ^th Engineer Battalion; Commandant, South Dakota Military Academy; and Commander, 109 ^th Engineer Battalion. Tracy came from a long list of distinguished officers from Sturgis, but he held the distinction of being the first soldier to enlist in the 109 ^th Engineer Battalion and ultimately command the Battalion. In 1993 he was appointed Commander of Task Force Rushmore. He held that position for two years deploying to Panama with the largest U.S. sponsored humanitarian effort in the history of the United States. The Task Force provided engineering and medical assistance to the people of Panama shortly after General Noriega's overthrow by the United States.

His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, 3 awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, 2 awards of the Army Commendation Medal, Master Army Aviator Wings, and numerous others. He had nearly 2500 accident- free flight hours with the military and over 1800 hours in civilian aircraft. He earned his private pilot's license at the age of 19 and after military flight school he spent 1 year flying helicopters rides over Mt. Rushmore and 3 years spraying crops for Green Giant Canning Company in Minnesota.

Tracy married Barbara E. Kuborn on December 24, 1965 and to this marriage one son and one daughter were born. Later in life, he married June McKie on June 26, 2011.

His favorite civic organization was the Optimist Club in which he attained the position of Lt. Governor. He was currently or a previous member of several other organizations and boards to include, Rotary, Elks Lodge #1187, Knight of Columbus, Rapid City Chamber of Commerce, Black Hills Girl Scouts Board of Directors, National Guard Association, and both the Golf Course Superintendents Association of South Dakota and the United States. Tracy's favorite past times were spending time with family, golfing, fly-fishing, hunting, skiing and biking.

He is survived by his son Tracy (JR) Hamblet, wife LaNae and granddaughter MaRin of Rapid City, SD; his daughter Brooke Hamblet and her sons Freddy and Gray of Ft Worth, Tx; Step son, Matt Berger of Rapid City, SD; his sister Vicki Forrest, Houston, Tx; brother Jeff Rogers and wife Janelle, Nashville, TN; sister Cindy Townsend and husband Dan of Sturgis, SD; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Tracy E. Hamblet Sr and Louise H. Rogers, spouses Barbara Hamblet and June McKie, and sister Kristin Hausman.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.