Ray Dell Hamilton

Ray Dell Hamilton - 08/30/1944 - 11/23/2016

“A limb has fallen from the family tree that says grieve not for me, remember me , remember the BEST TIMES, the laughter, the song, the good life, I lived while I was strong”.

Ray was born in Rigby, Idaho, in the maternity home, on August 30, 1944, to Dell Hamilton and Belva Drake Hamilton. He was the third of nine children. Ray married Judy Burton in Rigby, Idaho, and they had two children, and later divorced. On July 6, 1965, he married Sharon Newman, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and they have four children.

His spirit is carried on by his six children, 13 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren, five surviving siblings, and extended family and friends from every walk of life. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Ray during his 72 years, among them: If you are going to do something do it right the first time, your word is your bond, integrity, honor, and respect. He once cashed a check and a Teller game him too much money, he counted it in his truck, went back in the bank and returned the $100.00 to the grateful Teller.

Ray was a down-to-earth quiet man, selfless, strong, and devoted to his family. He loved sunrises, he loved the feeling of accomplishing something each day, nature, country roads, mountains and streams, and of course, he loved rocks. He was always bringing home a pretty rock he found, large and small. At sunset he was content to be home, rest with his best friend at his side, Hops. Ray worked hard his whole life, and is a hero to his family. He enjoyed the music of Neal Young, The Eagles, and Leonard Cohen. His favorite work partner was his tractor, “Bob”. He would say, “Bob and I are going to go work”. We have lost our security blanket and the person that loved us unconditionally.

His favorite memories were the years he and his brothers and sisters lived where the Jefferson Hills Golf course is now located, and the old Club House was his family home. He often talked of the fun they all had, swimming in the canals, climbing trees, hopping trains to Rigby and then hopping one to go home. He once told the story of him and his brothers bucking hay all day long, and he had on a pair of new Levis, and he wore a hole in them and didn’t make enough to buy another pair. He also spent a lot of time with his brothers at the family farm, taking their vehicles apart and putting them back together, going hunting and camping was always a family thing. Doing anything with his family made him happy. While Sharon cooked meals, Ray would hang out in the kitchen and keep the dishes washed, she will miss her favorite dishwasher forever.

Aside from two moves to Kansas City to work and be near Sharon’s family, he was a lifelong resident of the State he loved, Idaho. He fit right in with Sharon’s family, he was a brother and a son to them and loved very much.

Ray was a mason, but not just a mason he was a Master! He created beauty and perfection with rock and brick. A home inspector once said Ray was the best Mason in the United States, his employers always had him do the rock/brick work on pillars because he was so artistic and would create beauty. In Pine, Idaho is a business that bottles water from the mountain, and when it was being created, the owners had a vision, and they searched for a rock mason who could create their vision. The owners were guided to Ray, spoke with his employer, who agreed to give Ray a leave of absence, and Ray moved to Pine, Idaho, and lived there for almost five months, and built the Well House with rock, just one mason -Ray, and one assistant. It is a thing of beauty, blending in with the mountain.

Many animals were rescued over the years, and Ray tolerated them, but one winter day a puppy was rescued and it entered his heart in a most wonderful way. The dog is named Hops because he was found in a beer box alongside a country road between 2 deceased siblings, and Ray promised him he would never be cold again, so he cuddled him put blankets over him, and best of all loved him deeply. He loved that puppy as much as his children, and they were together constantly. Ray scratched his belly, gave him treats, took him for car rides, and gave up his side of the bed for him.

Ray entered eternal life on Wednesday, November 23, 2016, with his family around him. Thank you to Abode Hospice, and special thanks to Loy. She was so helpful, kind, funny and a great photographer.

Ray is survived by his wife, Sharon and his children: Bart (Connie) Hamilton, Logan, UT, Brett (Jill) Hamilton, Iona, ID, Sheila (Patrick) Ozburn, Overland Park, KS, Chad Hamilton, Olympia, WA, Craig Hamilton, Shelley, ID, and Jaime Hamilton, Overland Park, KS.

Survived by his brothers and sisters: Connie (Jim) Robbins, Nampa, ID, Rex (LaRee) Hamilton, Glenn’s Ferry, ID, Lola Hall, Nampa, ID., Gary (Peggy) Hamilton, Richfield, ID., Shane Hamilton, Rigby, ID.

Preceded in death by his grandparents, his parents, two brothers, Dale and Fred, and one sister, Barbara Ghor.

Ray was cremated and no services per Ray’s request. In the spring the family will have a “Celebration of Life” and all his family and friends are invited. Everyone who knew and loved Ray is asked to celebrate his life in your own way and know he loved you too.