Memorial
James M. Hamilton, 89 of Cedar Rapids died Saturday January 23, 2016 at Northbrook Manor Care Center. Services at 2:00 PM on Sunday at the Church on Northland. Burial at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 1 to 4 PM on Saturday and at the church after 1:00 PM on Sunday.
Survivors include two sons Thomas (Maria) of Cedar Rapids and Mark (Karen) of Placitas, NM., and a brother William (Ursula) from Rock Island, IL. He is also survived by seven grandchildren Joshua, David, Rachel, Ben, Jim, Michael and Sam; and two great grandchildren Ivory and Jackson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lavonne, parents, a daughter Geri Feltz, and a brother John.
Jim was born on March 25, 1926 in Cedar Rapids the son of William and Grace Stolba Hamilton, and graduated from Marion High School in 1945.
Jim served in the US Navy during WWII and the Korean War. He served on the battleship, USS Massachusetts, during WWII as a refrigeration technician keeping powder for the big guns dry. He said they liked his performance so much the Navy called him back for the Korean War, where he served on the destroyer, USS Thompson.
He married Lavonne Garrett on April 17, 1949 in Marion. Lavonne passed away in 2011. Jim worked as a Cedar Rapids firefighter for 30 years, serving in various locations throughout the city and attaining the rank of Lieutenant before retiring in 1985.
Jim was a longtime member of First Baptist Church/ Church of the Brethren (The Church on Northland). He loved to share his experiences in the Navy and firefighting with everyone. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He greatly enjoyed the coffee and conversation with his buddies at HyVee.
“The family wishes to express a special thank you to the staff of Northbrook Manor for their care and comfort”.