Submit a PhotoKyle David Hamel, born March 19, 1967, was called home on October 12, 2023. There to meet him were his mother, Joyce Newell, brother Kelly Hamel, and sister Michelle Burlison. He is survived by his wife, Terri, daughter Kylee Lucchese (Jake) and son Taylor (Jessica Cassano), his beloved grandson Liam Lucchese, his parents Dennis and Kathy Hamel of Plainville, Kansas, his brothers Kraig (Jolene) of Orange Park, Florida, Scott (Christina) of Stockton, Kansas, Shayne (Brandy) of Rockledge, Florida, David Wood (Monica) of Topeka, Kansas, and Mark of Plainville, Kansas, and sisters Kim Weigel (Terry) of Hays, Kansas, and Dawn Sharp (Russell) of Edmond, Oklahoma, and his many nieces and nephews.
Kyle was a Southwest Airlines pilot for 21 years and loved to share his passion for flying, whether it be by mentoring those who wanted to learn, or by taking his family and friends on trips in his private plane. Kyle also loved to sing karaoke. He could light up any bar, his garage, his living room, or his hangar with his rendition of Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried.” And when he cooked, everyone was in for a treat. Whether it was a traditional holiday meal or a casual backyard barbecue, you could always be sure that the food would be delicious and there would be plenty to share with anyone wanting to join. Although Kyle had many passions, he loved his family above all else.
Kyle’s Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Sunday, October 22nd at Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 East Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, AZ 85297. For more information, visit gilbertmemorialpark.com
A scholarship fund is being established in Kyle’s name to help flight students pursue their passion in flying. Please consider donating to the fund.
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Kyle always made me laugh. My condolences to Terri and the entire family.
So sorry for your loss. He was a great man! ?
May I express my sincere condolences to the Hamel and Staab families for the loss of your beloved Kyle. The Ringley family has you all in our thoughts and we send our prayers to wrap you all in comfort as you grieve for the loss and celebrate the joy, love and happiness you all received during his life.
I was Taylor’s friend in baseball as a teenager and flew out to Arizona to hangout with Taylor and with open arms him and his wife allowed me to stay for a bit, it was very beautiful and always cherished those memories in Arizona as it was my first time going there and had a blast with Taylor, sorry for your loss you guys will be in our prayers!❤️
I’m so sorry to hear about Kyle. I know he will be so missed. Love and prayers to all of you.
Terri and family: I am sad to hear of the loss of Kyle. His smile, great sense of humor and devotion to you will be in our memories. I hope the good memories will soothe your pain.
jtb
May God grant the entire family peace and comfort during this difficult time. Lean on others for love and support….always here to lend an ear, be a friend or just to watch baby Liam. I love you all. Auntie Angela xoxoxo
Terri, I am so sorry (and shocked) for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family. I will keep all of you in my prayers. Kyle lived life to the fullest- never a dull moment! Many fond memories with you two. love, Amy
Terri,
So sorry to hear thus news.
Prayers to you and the entire family
Tracey Larsen Shaw
I’m so at a loss for words. All I want to say to the family is how sorry I am. Kyle was a special guy and will be dearly missed..
My thoughts and prayers are with his family!!!
Terri and family, my deepest sympathies. My heart hurts for all of you. Wishing you peace and sending hugs. — Kathy
I flew with Kyle out a Phoenix a couple of times over the last few years. I knew I could always look forward to a great day at work when I was flying with him. I learned of his passing today at work. I will miss flying with Kyle and I will keep him and his family in my thoughts as he flies west one last time. Take care my friend.
Rich
Terri and family, my sincere condolences to all of you. May God wrap his arms of comfort and peace around all of you and bring peace to your mind and heart! Hugs!
My prayers to all Kyle’s family. I loved that boy
Hamel Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Keeping your dear family in our prayers.
What a beautiful sentiment and celebration of who Kyle was to all who met him. A wonderful guy with so much love for his family, and with abundant talents. We will miss his scrumptious BBQ feasts and his use of a fishing pole with hook attached to take down stuck palm leaves! He will truly be missed. Sending warmest condolences to the family, and all those who had the privilege of calling Kyle a friend.
Rest in peace buddy. Condolences and prayers for your family.
Sending sincere condolences. Prayers of peace and comfort to all of you.
Kyle was more than my friends Father in-law, he was family, a friend, and positive (usually hilarious)
light in every room. Many memories of joy and happiness with Kyle. I know he loved his family more than anything in the world. He will truly be missed. I am praying and thinking of the Hamel’s and Kyle, constantly. All my love. Fly high Kyle ❤️
Miss Terri, you and your family have my prayers during this time! Kyle was hands down one of THEE BEST pilots SWA ever hired! Flying with Kyle made it hard to call it work! He will always be remembered! Fly High my awesome Friend!
Our most deepest condolences to the Hamel Family. Praying for strength and peace during this time.
Kyle was a great friend, I will forever miss him!! Terri and family, I feel so sorry for your loss and will always keep your family in our prayers!!
God bless your family. I was blessed to meet Kyle at the Hays airport, and he friended me and helped launch my career with the right connection.
I flew with Kyle many times over the last 20 years and always knew our crew would be well taken care of and would be guaranteed to have lots of laughs! He will be so unbelievably missed by all of his coworkers. He was definitely a favorite among the PHX base! Prayers of strength and comfort to his family.
So sorry for your loss
Terry and family, we are devastated to hear of Kyle’s passing. He was a great guy and always enjoyed visiting and bbqing with you when we visited. He will definitely be missed. Hugs and prayers to you all.
Terri and family.. what a huge loss this is.. Being your old neighbors for years brought many sun adventures, lots of bbq’s and good laughs. I am so sorry about Kyle joining so many gone too young. Imagine the fun that is being had in Heaven.. love and hugs to all of the Hamel’s. ???
Love you Terri, you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
You have such a beautiful family, and we will miss Kyle. He was always fun to chat with, and so helpful and kind to us. We feel fortunate to have known him for the past 6 years. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.
My prayers and thoughts are with the Hamel family. Kyle will be missed by his Swa family. He was always wonderful to work with. I am saddened and shocked by his passing
I’m saddened by the loss of Kyle. We flew together at Vanguard Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Anytime Kyle was around there were always laughs to be had! You will be missed, rest in peace…
My sincere condolences to Kyle’s entire family. May your sorrow give way to peace, strength and perseverance. I flew a month with Kyle when he was a senior F/O and I was a new Captain way back in the day, and it was one of the best months I ever had in my career. All our Best Wishes for the future to all of his family. -J.B. Pickens SEA #43400 PHX