1925 – 2022
Gerald Taylor Hamilton passed away peacefully on December 29, 2022, at the young at heart age of 97. Gerald was born March 8, 1925 in Linden Texas to Willie Davis Hamilton and Mary Lucille Hamilton, and was the oldest of 3 sons.
Gerald graduated from Linden High School in 1943 and enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served as a medic aboard the USS West Point throughout the duration of World War II. While on shore leave in Boston, Massachusetts, Gerald met the love of his life, Ellen Nolan. They were married in Boston the following year.
In 1956, Gerald relocated to Texarkana Arkansas, where he began a long and successful career with General Telephone and Electronics. During his career with GTE, Gerald was transferred to various cities throughout Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Gerald served in many civic organizations, always seeking to help improve every community he served. He was active in the Elks Club, Kiwanis Club, the Jaycees, United Fund, and Chamber of Commerce, serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce while in Broken Arrow.
After the death of his beloved wife Ellen in 1984, Gerald retired as General Manager of GTE Southwest. In 1986, he married Mary Lou Bowers and relocated to Jacksonville Texas, where he spent many hours fishing with his brothers, telling tall tales, and watching his favorite baseball team the Texas Rangers.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ellen, and his brothers Paul and Kenneth (Red) Hamilton. We are pretty sure the heavenly shenanigans between Gerald and his brothers began just as soon as he passed through those Pearly Gates.
Gerald is survived by his three daughters: Linda (Martin) Elmore of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Mary Ellen Holland of Lubbock Texas, and Pam Lackey of Shawnee Oklahoma; six grandchildren Bryan Joplin, Ashley Rock, Andrew Martin, Robert Martin, Megan Butler, and Rachel Lackey; and seven great grandchildren: Nicole Joplin, Hailey Joplin, Ellie Martin, Luke Martin, Caroline Martin, Clara Martin, Rhyder Rock, Londyn Rock, and Maddison (Maddi) Butler.
There will be a private burial at Floral Haven cemetery in Broken Arrow Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or another charitable organization of choice.