John C. Hamilton

John C. Hamilton

July 24, 1955 - May 2, 2024

John C. Hamilton, most recently of Gainesville, Florida, passed away this past week following a brief fight with cancer.

Born in Wadsworth, Ohio, and then moved to Ashland County, Ohio, John graduated from Hillsdale High School before joining the Marine Corps, of which he was very proud. After his time in the Marines including service in Japan, he returned to Ohio.

Although he had found a wonderful wife and had two beautiful children, it didn’t work out. In his mid- to late-twenties, John began living somewhat of a nomadic lifestyle, unafraid to pick up roots and travel to unplanned destinations. Everywhere he landed John found work, and he always worked hard. Most jobs were in manufacturing plants-at one point in robotics which he found fascinating-but even as a cook at times. He made his way back and forth across the country, sometimes staying with family but most often on his own, making many friends wherever he went. He spent time in Ohio, North Carolina, Kansas, Idaho and other unknown destinations until finally taking off, on foot, to find his way to Florida. There he retired to Gainesville, near a VA facility where he could find the care he would need as he grew older.

John’s small community in Gainesville became its own form of family and healing, which we are so glad he had in his final days.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Thomas and Patty Lou (Kidd) Hamilton, and Verna Kay Workman (Robert Jackson ‘Jack’) Phillips.

He is survived by his children, Charmaine Nicole Hamilton (Michael) Pittsenbarger and Jordan

Alexander Hamilton, all currently residing in South Dakota.

He is also survived by seven siblings:

Brothers Thomas G. Hamilton and Lawrence Edwin ‘Ed’ (Ruth) Hamilton, in Ohio.

Sister Revoy Kay ‘Toby’ Hamilton (Clay Walker), in Ohio.

Half-sisters Martha Ann Phillips (Aldie) Estep in South Carolina and Amy Jo Hamilton in Florida.

Step-siblings Stephen Loren (Suzanne) Markley in North Carolina and Cynthia Kay Markley (Richard) Partin in Ohio.

Grandsons Rand T. Stroh and Rune U. Stroh, in North Dakota, and Apollo R. Houck, in South Dakota.

He is also survived by an extended-and extensive-family of kind and loving nieces, nephews, cousins,and friends.

No formal services will be held, however, should you like to contribute in John’s honor and other family members who have served, please donate to either Fisher House Foundation of Gainesville or Veterans Community Project of Sioux Falls where his daughter,Charmaine, spends time volunteering.

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