Jan, I got to know Tom and you when I started at Ludington Biological Station, USFWS, Sea Lamprey Control Unit. I spent many a work days with Tom after 1982. Outside of work I remember stopping in to your house. I remember the two of you were very generous and opened your house to be a foster home.   I worked with Tom and he was always networking with some sort of fishing group, or supporting  the walleye program in Ludington, or improving blue bird nesting along US-31. What ever he did he enjoyed because he never stopped being involved with local organizations or helping improve the fisheries in the Great Lakes.  Jan to this day I dont know how you managed the foster home while Tom worked on the road. Jan thanks for all the cookies.

I am so sorry to hear that Tom has passed. I wish he and I had kept in touch. I first met him at the Muskegon Steelheaders. He and I fished together a lot and won several fishing tournaments on Lake Michigan. Jan and I wish the family our condolences.

Thank you Jan for letting me know. I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was a great guy whose heart was always about doing the best for nature. We were in many of the same groups, WLSA, WRWP and others. He will be missed. A. Lot.

I am very sad.  We would be hard pressed to find anyone else who helped the White River Water Watershed Partnership (WRWP) any more than Tom; even though we have had GREAT volunteers.  Tom was always juggling two or more projects and always did a great job at each.  He will always be missed.  

Tom and Jan are such great friends of mine who have been with me through a lot of thick and thins in my life one of the best times was when Jan catered our wedding and Tom was right there to help her. 👍.  and I am so great full for the kind man he was to me! And the loving lady Jan is to this day!!    Love you guys!! Rest In peace Tom.
Tom  will be greatly remembered and missed ❤️  

Tom was a tireless advocate for the White Lake area environment.  He was always willing to lend an ear or a helping hand.  I admired his high ethical standards and willingness to stand for what he believed was right.  He was Duck Creek Watershed Assembly's biggest champion, and will be forever missed.

Janice, so very sorry to hear of your loss.  We just heard and send much sympathy.  Our coffee times at McD's was warm and fun.  Tom did many wonderful things over the years and will be missed!!!!

Tommy, I miss you my friend. I always enjoyed our conversations and updates. Where will I get them now? We shared a lot of inter-agency stories. I retired from the US Forest Service. The fishing reports, the basin reports, watershed activities, so much we talked about. I miss you already. May peace be with you and god bless the Cookie Lady. Your friend Tom

I worked for the Fish and Wildlife Service with Tommy.  I didn't know him well but he always had a plan or two for fisheries management.  I am sorry for your loss.

I was saddened to hear of Tom's passing.  We shared an office together at the Ludington sea lamprey station.  We also went on many field trips together throughout Michigan.  He was well known throughout the state and frequently called upon to give talks at fish and wildlife clubs.  He was outgoing and well-liked by everyone.  His handicap (hard of hearing--almost deaf) did not slow him down or interfere with his ability to communicate with all kinds of people.     

Sid Morkert

Tom passionately contributed to sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes and touched the lives of many biologists and fishing community members along the way.  Having slipped my sailboat in White Lake from 2004 -2019, I had the opportunity to see the great good that Tom did for the Whitehall - Montague community in addition to all of his contributions in sea lamprey control.  You can judge the size of a ship by its wake and, in passing, Tom has left quite a wake.

Janice,

So sorry to just hear of Tom's passing. I always appreciated his enthusiasm for applying his education and professional knowledge to the Duck Creek Watershed Assembly activities. He will be missed for his professional inputs. Also, your home baked cookies were always appreciated at our meetings. 

Sincerely,  Norman Knopf

Duck Lake Cottage (era. 1927) and Norton Shores condo.

Paul has many memories of Tom, as they spent a lot of time together fishing and hunting.   Tom spent his life enjoying all aspects of the outdoors and nature.  We have great memories from their visit to our home in TN.   Also, the times Jan and Tom spent at Paul's parents cottage in Baldwin, MI.   We will miss him greatly!!  

Paul and Monica Gardner

To my old sea lamprey choker buddy, guitar player, and ice cream enjoyer., My Friend;
Thomas, I miss you already. Please be there to greet me when my time comes. Then you can guide me in all those future adventures.
Loved you man.
Barry

Jan and Kim ... my heart is broken hearing this sad news on Tom ...you are most definitely in my thoughts and prayers... Our friendship will last a lifetime...hope  to hear from you soon... hugs !!!!

          Tom was a good man, a loyal and trusted friend to many.  He meant well and always tried his best, often taking on more than the average person could or would expect of another.  He fought for what was right and brought about many positive changes, especially related to the environment.  These positive acts will live on as his legacy.
         Tom will be missed by many and bring a smile to their face as he is remembered.
     College roommate and lifelong friend,
                      Mike O’Sullivan

Terry and I and Troy, Tami, and Michael will never forget the wonderful man that Tom Hamilton was.  He so loved his wife, Jan, daughter Kim,  and her family.  He also loved nature, wildlife, and the environment and worked tirelessly to protect them always in everything he did, up until his last breath.  No one who knew him would ever say that he didn’t give unselfishly of his time, expertise, and energy to the mission of preservation of all natural resources.  He was a shining example of what is right and good. Our family will cherish the wonderful memories of times spent with Tom.  Rest In Peace, dear friend, with love from the Stadler Family.

We are very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing.  He was always friendly and had a kind word for everyone he knew.  Tom’s unique interests and gifts will long be remembered.  Jan and Kim, we have special memories of your family during times of both happiness and grief.  We hold you and your family in prayer during the days ahead. God be with you. 

I didn’t know Tom well, but I remember when he & Jan starting dating, then married. They were very happy. Then Kim was born, got married, and had 2 grandchildren for Tom & Jan. He will be sorely missed. Light, love, and peace, Tom. My sympathies to those who loved him... Linda

Good memories.  Very sorry for your loss Jan, and the rest of your family. 

There are no words to express the loss that you are feeling right now, but know you, Kim and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.  Tom will so be missed and His stops at the house just to catch up.  Also know, He and my Dad will be telling jokes and laughing together in know time.  Rest easy my friend, until we all meet together again.



Sympathy to you, Jan, and also to Kim and her wonderful family.

Tom was an extraordinary individual, so knowledgable about the environment and committed to the values that keeps our earth safe. Sadly, many did not appreciate him and attempted to thwart his efforts.  Fortunately, his good works will last longer.

Tom was a good Spartan, keeping track of all of the MSU football and basketball wins. Loyal Spartan, the highest praise a person can receive.

Tom grew up in East Muskegon where there is a bond that lasts.

Safe travels, dear friend! See you on the other side.  Brenda

Tom and Jan babysat my brother and I when we were young...some 60 years ago and have been lifetime friends ever since.
Toms knowledge of fishing and enviromental issues have always been  big with him...his sence of humor grew on ya..when you saw the smile on his face after a dry joke...he. Lived and loved the truth..and his family and friends.
Tom will be missed..coffee at BK will never be the same without him.

I will miss Tom's extensive knowledge of the area and it's history. and his constant updates on all issues pertaining to fisheries. He
was a tireless champion for our environment and I will miss him.

Raymond Schinler, chairman White River Watershed Partnership

Jan, I have the wonderful memories of you and Tom coming to the Goodwill in Whitehall where I worked  for over a year.  You are from my childhood and Tom is a wonderful addition to my now.  I will miss his humor and his awesome knowledge and participation in fishing.  I will miss seeing you both together at the Goodwill and in the pictures you post of both of you always doing something for the good of others.  I am so sorry he is gone.

Good friend that I could always depend on. You spoke the truth and cared so much about the environment. You will be missed.

I can't describe my feelings.... devastated is probably a good word. Tom will be missed.

His love of nature gave him an enduring drive to protect our environment. He worked endlessly to preserve the outdoors for us, our children, and our grandchildren.

His passion for revealing objectives and manipulations taking place behind closed doors did not endear him to local politicians, but he told it as he saw it - sometimes a bit too bluntly, but always with full honesty.

I will choose to remember the smile and the twinkle in his eyes when he spoke of those he loved - his wife, daughter, grandchildren, and friends. I was proud to be one of them.

He leaves a legacy for those who fish, with handicap-accessible fishing platforms, breeding locations, and study groups. Thank you Tom for a job well done. Good-bye, dear friend.

OBITUARY

Thomas Edwin Hamilton

14 October, 1947 – 29 November, 2019

Ever Rest Funeral Home and Cremation Chapel

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