Donald Wayne Hamilton, 91, passed away on April 15, 2025, in Shady Shores, Texas.
Donald was born in Ottawa, Kansas, on October 11, 1933, the son of Evard and Dora (Hopkins) Hamilton. On July 9, 1957, he married Shirley Ruth Estell, from Joliet, and she survives in Shady Shores.
Donald graduated from Reavis High School, in Burbank, Illinois, in 1952, and lived in Chicago, Illinois, prior to joining the United States Navy, where he served as a radio repairman from 1953 until 1957. In 1958, he worked for three months with RCA, before becoming employed as one of the first computer technicians for IBM, when computers had vacuum tubes and occupied an entire floor. While employed with IBM, he lived in Illinois, New York, Michigan, Montana, Canada, Minnesota, and North Carolina until he retired in 1990. After retirement, he moved to the mountains of North Carolina, then Missouri, and finally Texas.
He was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ, serving as a prominent song leader wherever he attended, and then serving as a preacher for a few years after his retirement. He served as a Cub Scout Pack Leader for Pack #198 in northern Illinois. He was a talented carpenter and electrician and was willing to help repair anything and everything. He loved camping when the children were in their early years, and was an avid amateur genealogist in his later years.
Donald is survived by his wife and companion of 68 years in marriage, Shirley Hamilton; his children, Jeffrey (Gaye), Darrell (Sherry), Steve (Janine), Cynthia Salmons, and Glenn (Phoebe); grandchildren, Nathan, Andrew, Anthony, Zachery, Eric, Wesley, Jeremy, Samuel, Melanie Bunch, Jason, Alex, Sarah McBride, Cassondra Salmons, Kaytlyn Salmons, Kylee Salmons, Kristine Lockwood, Kimberly Abel, and Kourtney; 21 great-grandchildren, with two on the way; brother, Leonard; 22 nephews, and 20 nieces.
He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings Nadine Blocker, Daisy Watson, and Harold; nephew Duane, and grandson Benjamin.
Funeral services for Mr. Hamilton will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix. Burial will follow at Donoho Prairie Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service, at the funeral home. Graveside military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post #141 of Mt. Vernon. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.
