James C. Hamilton

On May 7, 2021, at the age of 83, Jim was released from the confusion and frustration of dementia. He was born November 4, 1937 in Des Moines, Iowa to Glenn and Gladys (Stevens) Hamilton.

In 1958, on a blind date, he met his wife Kay and they were married in 1960, spending 61 years together. Those years were filled with many blessings and wonderful memories. Their blessings came with the birth of their children, Rhonda, Robert, and Bradley. Their children all married and brought their children into this life filling it with many more memories, joys, and pride.

Jim was a lifelong resident of the Des Moines area and a proud graduate of the 1956 class from Des Moines Technical High School. He started his career with the work/school program at Tech - going to school until noon, then to his job at Machine Tools that was later bought by Iowa Machinery & Supply Co. He worked there for 45 years, starting as a mechanic and retiring in 2000 as Vice President in the Material Handling Department. Retirement found him running his own lawn care and snow removal business.

He was always a great supporter of his children’s and grandchildren’s school, sports, and church involvements. A very proud father and grandfather, he loved to watch them in their various activities, no matter what it was, such as playing, coaching, or school programs. He helped with Scouting, building soap box derby cars, and rebuilding Mustang cars with his sons.

He always had a listening ear and a helping hand for all his family. He enjoyed helping anyone with anything they needed help with. He was blessed with great mechanical abilities and there wasn’t anything he didn’t tackle and usually got it fixed.

He was a member of Capital Hill Christian Church until he married Kay, then he joined Grant Park Christian Church in 1960. There he was an intricate part of working at the church in many capacities – Elder, Deacon, choir member, and helped keep the mechanics of the church going. He was a member there for 50 years until Grant Park closed in 2010. In 2013, he joined Altoona Christian Church making this his church home.

His great life left us with many wonderful memories which will help keep his loving ways in our hearts always.

He is survived by his wife Kay; daughter Rhonda and her husband Max Zarr and their son Casey; son Robert “Bobby” and his wife Lorna Hamilton, their children Alison (Nathan) Smith and their children Gwenyth and Lenora Smith, Katelyn (David) Konfrst, Zackary (Annie) Hamiton; and son Bradley “Brad” and his wife Stacie Hamilton and their children Rylie and Reese Hamilton.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Gladys Hamilton; brother, Stanley Hamilton; and sister, Shirley Jones.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 14, 2021, also at Hamilton’s, and will conclude with burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Des Moines. There will be a reception at Altoona Christian Church, 2890 1st Avenue South, Altoona, after the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed Altoona Christian Church.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print