DORPHUS MARSHALL HAMBRICK
June 9, 1928 - February 20, 2023
After a long and vibrant life, Dorphus "Corky" Hambrick, age 94, of Waynesboro, VA, passed away at Augusta Health with Michael and Shirley at his side, on Monday, February 20, 2023. Born at home on June 9, 1928 in Skippers, VA, he was the only son of the late Stella Watson Hambrick, née Sheppard, and Raleigh Whitten Hambrick. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Helen Louise Shrader, and by his wife of 63 years, Margaret Ellen Hambrick.

Corky is survived by his beloved sister, Peggy Ann Hendrick, and his brother-in-law, Billy Hendrick of Martinsburg, WV; devoted sons, Michael Hambrick of Princeton, WV, and Scott Hambrick of Waynesboro, VA; daughter-in-law, Shirley Hambrick of Princeton, WV; grandchildren, Keira Hambrick of Columbus, OH, Kirsty Hambrick of Baltimore, MD, and Fiona Hambrick of Oak Grove, KY; nephews Tom, Randy, and Gene; nieces
Lisa and Karen; great-nephews Terry, Lee, and Randy; great-nieces, Celia, Hannah, and Lelia; great-great nephews Jacob, Hezikiah, Logan, and Jasper; great-great nieces, Chasity, Serenity, Zenia, Ivy, and Mackenzie; and one great-great-great niece, Laurel. His numerous nieces and nephews dearly loved and will miss their "Uncle Cookie."

Corky grew up in Nemours, WV. In the 6th grade, he took his first job as a farm hand earning 10 cents an hour. He was an active member of the band at both Wade Junior High and Beaver High School in Bluefield, WV. As a teenager, he worked for Bishop Optical Company and as a clerk for Bluefield Music Company after school, on weekends, and during summer vacations, saving his money so he could go to college. He also worked at a drugstore as a soda jerk, where he met his wife-to-be, Margaret. Margaret and Corky were married on September 5, 1951 at the First Baptist Church in Princeton, WV. Corky got his nickname from the Gasoline Alley comic strip because his friends thought he looked like Corky Wallet. In 1946, he joined the Army and completed 16 months of active duty in Occupied Japan. He obtained the rank of T/5 Technical Sergeant and was Honorably Discharged with a WWII Victory medal and an Army of Occupation Medal–Japan. After his military service, he worked on the surveying crew who mapped the infamous Route 52 between Bluewell and Welch, WV. In 1948, using his G.I. Bill and the money he saved during his teenage years, he attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He graduated with a B.S. in mechanical engineering in 1952. At VPI he was a member of the Black Diamond Club, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and he supported the Campus Radio Station. Corky went to work for E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Company in Camden, SC. In 1957, he was transferred to the Waynesboro plant, where he was a process engineer involved
in the development and production of Lycra and Orlon. He worked for DuPont for 33 years and retired in 1985 as a highly sought-after Senior Research Engineer. He continued to consult for DuPont's Technology Transfer Group, training teams of engineers in the operation of fiber production plants around the world, until 1998. Corky was a member of the Kershaw #29 Masonic Lodge in Camden, SC. He was also a member of Westwood Baptist Church in Waynesboro, VA.

Corky's life will be celebrated in the summer by those who love him, at a date to be
announced, and his cremains will be interred at that time with his wife at Augusta
Memorial Park, 1775 Goose Creek Rd in Waynesboro, VA.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please hug someone you love and let them know how
special they are to you.