Larry Hamilton
Posted By Royer on November 12, 2009
Larry was born on January 31, 1936 in Rocky Ford, Colorado to the late Claude Louis and Rowena Merle (Gibson) Hamilton, and died on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at Truman Medical Center West, after a long battle with failing health.
On August 4, 1963 Larry was united in marriage to Ann (Roe) Hamilton. Larry is survived by his sons; Larry, Jr. (Jill), Robert John (Gerilyn), Kent Gibson (Shanin) and daughter; Vivian Lee Hamilton. He is also survived by David and Zachary, sons of Larry, Jr.; Ashlee, Steve, and Olivia, children of Robert; and Patrick, Devin and Brenna, children of Kent. He is also survived by 5 siblings; Jackie (Jack Marshall) of La Junta, CO; Bette (Jerry) Mellinger of LaGrande, OR; William N. Hamilton of CO; Claudette (Virgil) Lindsay of La Junta, CO; and Richard Gibson Hamilton of Broomfield, CO; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann, parents and eldest brother, Claude Louis, Jr.
Larry was associated with his parents in Hamilton Variety & Gift in Rocky Ford, owned and operated the Valley Ambulance Co. Inc.; in Otero County Colorado, and was a member and director of the Rocky Ford Chamber of Commerce and the Arkansas Valley Fair Association. He moved to Wichita, Kansas where he drove a bus for Continental Trailways, and later moved to Oak Grove, Missouri where he was a locksmith, until health problems forced his total retirement.
Larry was a ‘Life Member’ of the Hamilton National Genealogical Society, Inc., serving as editor of its publication The Connector from 1989-2005, and the President of the organization since 1999. He was a member of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church, St. John’s Lodge #75 A.F. & A.M. in Rocky Ford, and Ancient and Accepted Order of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Syracuse, NY, and had been active in numerous other genealogical organizations.
Larry and his wife Ann wrote and published several genealogical books. Larry requested cremation with his remains to be scattered with his wife Ann’s at a later date. He also requested that Christian Lodge 392, A.F. & A.M. provide Masonic rites.
Memorial Services will be 7 pm Friday, November 13, 2009 at the Oak Grove United Methodist Church.