Donald Dean Hamilton, age 82 of Maxwell, NE passed away Friday December 15, 2017 at the Fullerton Care Center in Fullerton, NE.
Don was born on May 28, 1936 in Longmont, CO to Robert Bunker and Blanche (Slack) Hamilton. He graduated from Mead High School and joined the Army National Guard and SAC Division of the Air Force. After his discharge he lived in Estes Park, CO, Fort Morgan, CO, Boulder, CO, and Maxwell, NE. He spent time working as an electrical lineman for the City of Estes Park and as a “roughneck” for the US Army Corp of Engineers. Don was a guard at the US Bureau of Standards in Boulder. He collected antique firearms. He enjoyed talking about his time in the Air Force as a tanker crew chief and sharing his personal photos of the planes he worked on. Don was proud of the family’s military service which included his father Robert (Army), nephew, Mickey Hawkins (marines-killed in Vietnam), nephew, Bart Daniels (Navy), brother, Gerald (Army-injured in the Battle of the Bulge). He had great mechanical skills and could fix almost anything. He was a generous man, contributing financially to many organizations. Don was a staunch conservative, a life member of the NRA, member of the Freemasons being a 32nd Degree Mason (registered with the Denver Consistory), a member of the Elks Lodge, and the Assembly of God Church.
Don is survived by his wife of 31 years, Carol (Peterson) Hamilton; daughter, Jo D Anderson of ID; stepsons, Michael Johnson and Matthew Johnson both of MN; several grandchildren; brother, Robert (Belle) Hamilton of AK; sister, Gloria (Richard) Westbrook of Longmont, CO; as well as several other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gerald; and sister, Phyllis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested in Don’s name. The memorials will be applied to the Veteran’s Memorial at Iron Horse Park in North Platte for Hamilton servicemen recognition. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Goodwin officiating. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. Tuesday December 26, 2017 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.