James Lawrence Hamilton
December 17, 1930 ~ April 16, 2019
James Lawrence “Larry” Hamilton, 88, of Jefferson City, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at Capital Region Medical Center.
He was born on December 17, 1930, in Oakside, Missouri, the son of the late Delmer Loyd and Melba Hattie Smith Hamilton.
He was married on March 7, 1953, in Jefferson City to Anita Marie Mengwasser who resides at the home.
A 1949 graduate of Aurora High School in California, Missouri, Mr. Hamilton made the United states Air Force his career serving his country for over twenty-five years. Enlisting immediately after high school, his career consisted of service with the World War II Occupations Forces on Okinawa and throughout the Korean Conflict and Vietnam Era. He received six bronze stars for six major campaigns. He retired in 1974 with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant at the conclusion of the Cold War taking a job as assistant manager of a private country club in Tyler, Texas. Holding an FCC license, he worked as an Electronic Technician at the Fulton Diagnostic Center for a short time. He also worked at Towner Communication, A&B Radio, and Apache Electronics.
He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 1003; the 623rd Aircraft Control and Warning Association; Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association; and several other retired enlisted organizations. He was one of the original members of the Cole County Sheriff’s Posse, volunteering with that organization for ten years.
Other survivors include two sons, Larry Gene (Tanya) Hamilton, Hudson, Florida; and F. Steven McDaniel, Houston, Texas; two granddaughters, Leighann Bailie, Houston, Texas; and Lindsay Hamilton, Norman, Oklahoma; four great-grandchildren, Maddox Cole Hamilton, Norman, Oklahoma; twins Marguerite and Eloise Bailie; and Samuel Bailie, all of Houston, Texas; one sister, Nadine McKissick, Lyndon, Kansas; and one brother, Dale (Ruth) Hamilton, Larkspur, Colorado.
He was preceded in death by one sister, LaVern Walters.
A memorial service will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Brian Credille officiating.
Burial will be in Springfield Southwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Cole County Sheriff’s Posse.
He was born on December 17, 1930, in Oakside, Missouri, the son of the late Delmer Loyd and Melba Hattie Smith Hamilton.
He was married on March 7, 1953, in Jefferson City to Anita Marie Mengwasser who resides at the home.
A 1949 graduate of Aurora High School in California, Missouri, Mr. Hamilton made the United states Air Force his career serving his country for over twenty-five years. Enlisting immediately after high school, his career consisted of service with the World War II Occupations Forces on Okinawa and throughout the Korean Conflict and Vietnam Era. He received six bronze stars for six major campaigns. He retired in 1974 with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant at the conclusion of the Cold War taking a job as assistant manager of a private country club in Tyler, Texas. Holding an FCC license, he worked as an Electronic Technician at the Fulton Diagnostic Center for a short time. He also worked at Towner Communication, A&B Radio, and Apache Electronics.
He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 1003; the 623rd Aircraft Control and Warning Association; Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association; and several other retired enlisted organizations. He was one of the original members of the Cole County Sheriff’s Posse, volunteering with that organization for ten years.
Other survivors include two sons, Larry Gene (Tanya) Hamilton, Hudson, Florida; and F. Steven McDaniel, Houston, Texas; two granddaughters, Leighann Bailie, Houston, Texas; and Lindsay Hamilton, Norman, Oklahoma; four great-grandchildren, Maddox Cole Hamilton, Norman, Oklahoma; twins Marguerite and Eloise Bailie; and Samuel Bailie, all of Houston, Texas; one sister, Nadine McKissick, Lyndon, Kansas; and one brother, Dale (Ruth) Hamilton, Larkspur, Colorado.
He was preceded in death by one sister, LaVern Walters.
A memorial service will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Brian Credille officiating.
Burial will be in Springfield Southwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Cole County Sheriff’s Posse.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
My dear friend dating back to 1949, serving step by step for our first 6 years in the Air Force. So many wonderful memories, loved him like a brother. Nancy and I send our heart felt prayers to Anita and the extended Hamilton family at your loss. Larry touched so many lives and will remain in their hearts forever. My e-mail inbounds will be drastically reduced. Love & Prayers, Dave and Nancy
So sorry to learn that Larry passed away. I never met Larry, but came to know him years ago through an Air Force Radar Station Veterans website. We had been emailing back and forth ever since. Larry heard a song that I wrote and had copyrighted in 2006 called “Freedom Isn’t Free,” and asked if he and his wife Anita could make CD copies of it to distribute wherever they went to help publicize the song. They bought blank CD’s, made the copies, and put labels on all them. They even gave copies of the CD to their son who traveled on business to many military airports around the country and the world and would give copies to personnel there. Larry also took copies of the CD to places like Branson, Mo to try to promote the song as well as to military reunions and veterans gatherings that he attended. He knew that my wish was to share the song with others so those who served and those who continue to serve in the military would be appreciated and remembered for giving their all for freedom. Larry, Anita and their son excelled in doing this. Their efforts were singularly responsible in getting my song heard. Several years ago, I had a DVD made of the song. It’s on YouTube (see below). In remembrance of Larry, I ask that you take the time to listen to “Freedom Isn’t Free”, and as Larry did, share it with others. This just isn’t my song. It’s Larry’s song. It meant so much to him. May you rest in peace, Larry. You gave your all, because you knew that freedom isn’t free, and were ready to give the ultimate sacrifice if that was the calling. Finally, thank you for your friendship, your many emails, and for all that you and your family did in promoting my song, “Freedom Isn’t Free.” I will truly miss you. Another hero has been called home. My thoughts and prayers to Anita and family. Hand Salute! Rich Bettencourt Tracy, California.
My name is Rich Bettencourt. I shared a memory a few days ago in honor of Larry Hamilton, however, my entire message evidently didn’t fit in the space given and some was cut off. I add this information now. Here is the YouTube video of my song, “Freedom Isn’t Free” that I mentioned in my original shared memory of Larry. It was a song that Larry loved very much and wanted others to listen to in order to honor those who served and those who continue to serve in the military. Thank you Rich Bettencourt Tracy,