David Hamilton

March 15, 2019, in Grand Brook Memory Care in Garland due to

complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

David was born August 27, 1939, in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Alice

and Oscar R. Hamilton. He was raised in Galena, Illinois and graduated

from Galena High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the United

States Air Force. While in the Air Force, he attended Yale University at

the Institute of Far Eastern Languages and became a Chinese Linguist.

He studied at the University of Maryland in the Philippines, completed his business degree at Arizona State University, and was then commissioned as an officer.

David married Colleen Smith, his high school sweetheart, on April 9,

1960. They spent their early years moving with the Air Force to

destinations including New Haven, Connecticut; Clark AFB, Philippines; Hakata, Japan; Kadena AFB, Okinawa; Tempe, AZ; El Segundo, CA; Offutt AFB, Nebraska; and Kelly AFB, San Antonio, Texas. He served during the Vietnam War during his last tour of duty overseas and was

stationed in Bangkok, Thailand. During his 24 year Air Force career,

David worked primarily in the areas of Signals Intelligence and

Intelligence Systems. He achieved the rank of Major and earned

several commendations and awards including National Defense

Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Bronze Star. He

retired from the Air Force in1981 and worked for E-Systems as a member of Technical Staff and later for Raytheon until he retired in 1995.

In retirement, David loved traveling with his wife and visiting

family. He was a computer whiz and an amazing artist. He enjoyed

photography and especially capturing special moments in the

lives of his grandchildren in photos. He also appreciated music,

compiling his favorite songs, and creating personalized labels for his

many collections. He liked woodworking and spending time outside in the yard. Dogs were also a great love including three of his own and his adopted grand dogs.

David had a huge smile and a contagious sense of humor. He loved his

family dearly and was a man of deep faith. He shared his love of travel

with his family. He valued education and was proud to attend his

children’s and his grand children’s graduations. He loved and served

his country with a deep sense of duty. He was a loyal friend.

David is survived by Colleen, his wife of almost 59 years, sister Judith Wright of Iowa, daughter Lisa (Curtis) Carlson of Iowa, son David (Lori) Hamilton of Texas, son Scott (Lori )Hamilton of Colorado, and daughter Lara (Brian) Kenney of Texas, grandchildren Jeff (Lauren) of Colorado, Rachael (Nolan) of Colorado, Eric of Texas, Adam of Michigan, Melissa of Iowa, and Jack, Katie, Caroline, Emmitt, and Sasha of Texas, great grandchildren Kinley, Nora, and Leighton of Colorado. David was preceded in death by his mother Alice, father Oscar, and four brothers, Robert, Theodore, Richard, and Patrick.

Visitation will be at St. Mark Evangelist Catholic Church in Plano, Texas from 4-6 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2019. A memorial mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at 12:00 noon at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Puppy Jake Foundation

(www.puppyjakefoundation.org) or Alzheimer’s Association

(www.alz.org). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be

shared at www.dignitymemorial.com for the Hamilton family.