John Hamberger Obituary - Irving, Texas | Browns Memorial Funeral Home
John Hamberger
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Obituary for John Edward Hamberger

John Edward  Hamberger
John Hamberger, age 93, passed away in Irving, Texas on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. He was born in Dallas, Texas on October 19, 1924 to William Edward and Marian (Miner) Hamberger. John attended University Park Elementary and graduated from Sunset High School in 1942, where he was an all-state tackle for the 1941 Bison team. He earned a football scholarship to University of Texas where he played his freshman year. John joined the U.S. Navy serving the next four years during World War II. After serving in the Navy John attended Southern Methodist University where he played football for the Mustangs earning a 1947 SWC championship 9-0-2 season, Cotton Bowl #3 SMU 13 - #4 Penn State 13, 1948 SWC championship 9-1-1 season, Cotton Bowl #10 SMU 21 - #9 Oregon St. 13, all SWC tackle, and 1948 Chicago Tribune All-American. John was then drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1948 with a $500 signing bonus, before he was “sold” to the Pittsburgh Steelers. John began his teaching career in public education where he was a football coach at Henderson High School in Henderson, TX; head coach and athletic director at Schreiner Institute in Kerrville, TX; football coach at Grand Prairie High School; and football and baseball coach at Irving High School. John went into public school administration at MacArthur High School in Irving and then ended his administrative career as Principal of Travis Junior High School for 17 years before retiring in 1986. In retirement, John enjoyed traveling, spending time with family and staying in touch with former players, students, and friends from his 38 years in education. He was a member of the SMU Mustang Club and a proud supporter of Mustang football and basketball. Left to cherish John’s memory are his wife of 69 years Sarah Hamberger; son Steve Hamberger; daughter Karen Schneider and husband Marvis; granddaughters Rachel Evans and husband Jason, Sara Slesinger and husband Michael; great grandsons William and Joseph Evans and Max Slesinger; and his buddy Mattie Belle. A committal with Military Honors will be held 11AM on Monday, January 22, 2018 at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, (15 minutes prior to the service, friends and family attending, will begin the processional line up at Lane 3). In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Operation Kindness with the SPCA www.donateforkindness.org.

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