Mr. Mason James Hamilton

Born September 12, 1927

Jobs Corner, Pennsylvania

Mason, as he was first known, grew up on a dairy farm owned by his parents Stanley Hamilton and Ascha Garrison Hamilton. His father was also deeply involved in the local community and became a politician, starting a local legacy for the Hamilton name that continues to this day.

Mason was known as Chip by his schoolmates and was popular in school, strikingly good looking, known to have a charismatic personality, and generally brought home impressive report cards.

He enlisted in the US navy at the young age of 17 to serve his country near the end of WWII. His first assignment led him to Pensacola, Florida, where he met a lovely young Southern woman, Anna Laura Hudson, who soon became his wife. Mason was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, and that’s where he and Anna Laura started their family.

First, Cheryl (Cherie), then Karen, then Debbie. Mom was busy caring for the three girls, while Mason, who became known as Jim for his time in the Navy, spent months at a time supporting his country and family on naval carriers abroad. He served in the Pacific soon after the end of World War II, and in the Mediterranean, among other places, and his postings in addition to Jacksonville included the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Bremerton, Washington.

The family became involved in a local Assembly of God, where the children were taught scriptural principles. Jim was a guiding force in the development of the children, even in his frequent absences.

Nine years after the birth of their last daughter, a son was born, Stanley Mason Hamilton. Stan launched them into a new phase of parenting and brought a new dynamic to the whole family.

After 22 years in the Navy, Jim retired and moved to Huntsville, Alabama, to work for SCI. He quickly moved up the ladder and contributed much professionally and socially through his working relationships. He played a key role in many cutting-edge developments, including communications consoles for jet fighters and NASA projects and early versions of voice command technologies.

Anne and Jim were instrumental in founding a new church in Huntsville, Faith Chapel, where they have been lifelong members. Jim was involved in many aspects of the business and the ministries of the church. He was also an active member of the Gideons and the Fleet Reserve.

They bought a small farm in northwest Huntsville, where Stan was raised and Jim enjoyed working outside caring for their home, grounds, and gardens, the fruit trees and spending time with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Throughout his life he always tried to maintain connections to his family and the many friends he made along the way. At 87, he was active on Facebook and enjoyed sharing family photos and reading the posts from family and friends.

Jim was a pillar of positive influence on his entire family and the anchor that grounded them in times of crisis.

He died on a beautiful spring day, doing what he loved doing most…taking care of things so others could enjoy the fruits of his labor. His legacy continues in the lives of four children, eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He was Mason, Chip, Jim, Dad, and finally Grandpa, and his spirit will live on in all who knew him.

You may visit with the family at Valhalla Funeral Home on Monday, May 04, 2015, from 5:30 PM until 7:00 PM. There will be a funeral service conducted by Rev. Joel McGraw and Rev. Brian Farley at Faith Chapel, 3913 Pulaski Pike NW on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 commencing at 10:00 AM. The interment, with Military Honors, will immediately follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens, 700 Winchester Road NE. Please sign the guest registry at www.valhallafunerals.com.