John Washington Hamilton

VIRGINIA BEACH- “If there’s ever anything I can do for you just, call me. You know I’ll be there”...and he always was.

The son of George and “Dovie” Hamilton and the third of six children, John was born in 1913 and grew up on the family farm in Cornish, Oklahoma. He grew up plowing the fields behind four Missouri mules, riding his horse “Chubby” to school, going to church every Sunday, and attending “socials” at homes of neighbors. As a teenager growing up during the “Great Depression,” he worked the farm, maintained the phone lines for his neighbors and learned auto mechanics while overhauling engines for Ford Model A’s at a local dealership. “Smarter than the law allows,” as he might say about someone else, he was off to the University of Oklahoma after high school, but on admission day he didn’t have the required $50 student fee, so he came back home. He joined President Roosevelt’s Construction Corps “CC’s” working at a camp near Mariposa, California. He quickly stood out because of his skill with tools, tolerance for hard work, sharp eye for detail, and expertise in using dynamite for clearing obstructions. It was his ability to type that got him a pay raise and he became the camp librarian. The money he earned was all sent home.

In 1940 John joined the Navy. Standing out as a seaman, he quickly became the Cox’n of the “Captain’s gig,” eventually transferring to engineering and becoming a Machinist Mate and Machinery Repairman. In charge of the control engine room of the USS DYESS, he slept on a cot in the engine room so he would always be available for emergencies... a dedication that was to later cost him his hearing. In 1947 his sister Oma Lee introduced him to Kathryn Veneri. He knew right away that he had met the love of his life. They were married 63 years and raised two daughters, Rhonda and Donna, who were and are the joy of their lives...a joy that lovingly embraced Rhonda’s husband Bruce Sonn, their daughter Erin, her husband Jason Forsyth, their children Mason and Tannin, and Donna’s husband Steve Buckley, daughter Cara, her husband John Pratt, daughter Kathryn, her husband Mike Kressel and their son, Benjamin. Having served for 30 years and through 3 wars and having helped to save lives as a crew member during the tragic USS FORRESTAL fire, Chief Petty Officer John Hamilton retired from the navy. He continued his life of service as a Mason for over 50 years and as a loyal member and Deacon of Thalia Lynn Baptist Church. Helping people and fixing things were always his passion and he was the best at both. Together, John and Kay helped define “The Greatest Generation.” Kindest heart and gentle soul, his love, generosity and spirit live on in the hearts of all of us who were privileged to have known him.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am- 11:30 am, Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at Thalia Lynn Baptist Church with a funeral service to be held at 11:30 am. Burial will follow at Rosewood Memorial Park with full military honors. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Thalia Lynn Baptist Church. Please share your love and condolences with the family at www.kellumfuneralhome.com