Dr. Gordon “Buz” Slayton Hamblin, Jr. died suddenly from a heart attack on July 21, 2016 in Arroyo Grande. He was 68. A former Claremont resident, he lived for many years on the Central Coast, most recently in Arroyo Grande.

He was born March 5, 1948 in Lewiston, Maine, the son of the late Gordon S. Hamblin, Sr. and Norinne A. (Paul) Hamblin. He lived in Auburn, Maine until December 1953 when his family moved with four children, driving all the way to California, where he resided the rest of his life. Buz went to Monte Vista School in Montclair through fourth grade and then moved to Claremont and attended Oakmont Elementary and El Roble Intermediate schools. He graduated from Claremont High School with the class of 1966. Dr. Hamblin always loved school and truly loved his high school, remaining friends with most of his classmates until his death. He missed attending his 50th high school reunion by days.

After graduating from high school, Buz received a football scholarship from Berkeley and played for the Cal Bears. He remained faithful to the team, always cheering for them. He graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and went on to the California School of Podiatry in San Francisco. He became a podiatrist and had his practice in Atascadero and Morro Bay. He also did podiatry care for the patients at Atascadero State Hospital. Patients not only valued “Dr. Buz” as a doctor but also as a friend, and many generations of patients came in to see him.

In 1969 he married his high school sweetheart, Karen Platt, and they had two children, K.C. and Katie Hamblin (Hayward) of Templeton, who he adored and loved with all his heart. He enjoyed being at their school activities—sports, dance recitals, etc.—and sharing activities such as riding bikes, hiking, going to the beach and picnics in the park. He then became Papa Bee to his first grandchild, his son K.C. and daughter-in-law Brandi’s daughter, Kayla Jean. What a beautiful gift she was to the family, and he was so proud of all of her accomplishments.

In April 2011, Dr. Hamblin married Jill May and became stepfather to Julie, Jessica and Katy and stepgrandfather (Papa Bee) to four grandkids, Dani, Trent, Reed and Isaac. They all loved him dearly and he loved them right back. They spent so many great times as a family during the holidays, birthday celebrations, trips to Big Bear and time at Disneyland. Buz and Jill loved going to Hawaii each year and enjoying walks on the beach.

Buz is survived by his wife, Jill (May) Hamblin; his son K.C. and wife Brandi of Atascadero and daughter Katie (Hamblin) Hayward and husband Tyson of Templeton, California; his stepdaughters Julie Gilmer and husband Barry of Apple Valley, Jessica Sturdy and husband Luke of La Verne and Katy May of Los Osos, California; his granddaughter Kayla, at UCLA, and his step-grandchildren Dani Love and Trent Sturdy of La Verne and Reed and Isaac Gilmer of Apple Valley.

He also leaves his brother Graig Hamblin in Cebu, Philippines; his sister Tobey (Hamblin) Leier and husband Patrick of Claremont; his nieces Dana (Leier) Stenvick, Angela (Leier) Ross and their families; his former wife Karen Platt Hamblin; his step-mom Judith Hamblin, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, September 10 at 2 p.m. at 345 Sunrise Terrace Drive in Arroyo Grande, California.