Obituary of Owen S. Hamrick

Private family graveside service for Owen S. Hamrick, 87, of Arp, will be held Tuesday, December 4, 2018. Visitation will be Monday, December 3, 2018 from 5-7 p.m. at Cottle Funeral Home, Troup.  Arrangements are under the direction of Cottle Funeral Home, Troup.

Mr. Hamrick died, Friday, November 30, 2018 in Tyler. He was born November 9, 1931, in Arp to Rev. Newton Vinson and Hattie Belle Sharman Hamrick, and was a Charter Member of Arp Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Mr. Hamrick was graduated from Arp High School, and received a B.A.  from the University of Texas in Austin, a MED. from Stephen F. Austin State University, and completed post graduate studies at East Texas State University.

He was retired from Arp School, having served the district for 33 years as a classroom teacher, High School Principal, and as the District Director of Libraries. He was twice selected as Teacher of the Year. He served 18 years as Arp High School chapter advisor of the National Honor Society.

Mr. Hamrick was a member of several professional organizations including the National Secondary Principals Association, the American Library Association, the Texas State Teachers Association, the Smith County Retired Teachers Association, and the Tyler Art League.

He served four years in the United States Air Force which included foreign service in Tripoli, Libya.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Juanita Gatlin, Zonetta Stiles, Ena Carroll and Dorrace Gatlin,  brothers N.V. Hamrick, Jr., Carroll Truett Hamrick, and James Calvert Hamrick. He is survived by a sister, Marilyn Searcy (Jerry) of Oklahoma City; and several nieces and nephews.