Rev. Steven W. Hamrick

Rev. Steven W. Hamrick, 75, of Louisville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

He was born in Murray, KY, on November 18, 1950, to the late Cordie Lee Wall Hamrick and William David Hamrick, Jr.

Steve graduated from Murray State University, continuing his graduate studies at Georgetown University and Wichita State University, and was a proud member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

As a minister and sales professional, Steve traveled the southeast and collected stories from all the people that he met. He loved to tell stories and made friends in every community he visited.

He loved Auburn University and the University of Louisville athletics. For recreation, he loved fishing and spending time on the beach in Panama City.

Steve served as a minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), retiring after 50 years of dedicated service, having finished his career at Shawnee First Christian Church.

Steve was proud of his Murray heritage, where his father served as the first superintendent of Ken-Lake State Park. His father was given the honor, by Gov. Patton, of having the golf course named after him, The William D. Hamrick Memorial Golf Course. His community service included serving many years as the football and basketball announcer for Hopkinsville High School, Military Warriors Support Foundation, Desert Storm War Memorial, and Special Olympics of Kentucky.

Steve started his political career working tirelessly for Louie B. Nunn's campaign for Governor. He served as an intern for U.S. Senator Marlow Cook. He actively worked in the gubernatorial campaigns of John Y. Brown, Grady Stumbo, and Paul Patton.

He spent a lifetime involved in politics, government, business, and community service. He served as the first county planner for Marshall County, going on to serve as program director for the Kentucky Private Industries Council during the Gov. John Y. Brown administration. Later, he would serve as the first economic development director for both Marion County and Hopkinsville/Christian County.

In 1992, Steve would win the Republican nomination for Congress in Kentucky's first congressional district. He attempted to win the nomination again in 1994, but would lose to Ed Whitfield, who won the general election that year. Steve ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 2011.

In 1985, he founded Hamrick Media Services, which bought and sold college textbooks across the southern United States, providing textbooks to students who could not afford them.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Karen Grim Hamrick.

He is survived by his loving children, Whitney Anderson, Hilliary Mccaffery, Dean Spragens (Shelley), Scott Hamrick, Corey Spragens (Brian), Sara Garner, and David Hamrick; sister, Sandra Maierhofer; and grandchildren, Christopher, Justin, Kaileigh, Griffen, Cooper, Aidan, Parker, Daniel, Trey, Landen, Xavier, Miles, Emaline, and Reeves; great-grandchildren, Caydence, Scarlett, Easton, and Claire.

A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Shawnee Christian Church, 1520 Gagel Ave, Louisville, KY 40216.

Memorial gifts may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or American Heart Association in Steve's honor.