John Lynn Hamilton, 72
It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the death of John Lynn Hamilton, 72, of Newport, Wash. John lost his battle with cancer early Saturday morning, Sept. 17, 2016. He passed away peacefully, on the homestead where his family has lived since the 1970s.
John was born in Pocatello, Idaho, on May 5, 1944, to Merlin and Margaret Hamilton. In 1956, they moved to Mojave, Calif., where John made many lifelong friends.
After John graduated from Mojave High School, he attended a year of college and then worked as a draftsman for NASA. John decided having a desk job wasn’t really for him and chose not to return after the Vietnam War, where he served from 1966-67.
John was an exceptional draftsman and talented artist. He made a living doing masonry throughout Washington and Idaho. Later in life he discovered his passion for photography. Which he jumped into wholeheartedly and continued until he was forced to give it up due to the dementia. John loved sports, music, art, facts/trivia, and dancing, and had been known to be a bit of a ladies man.
John lived a full and happy life making friends everywhere that he went. His infectious smile and loving spirit spread joy to all. He loved life and always had a great sense of humor.
He is survived by his children, Crystal Benson, and her husband, Jim, Paul Hamil-ton, 44, and his fiancé Jennifer, Teo Steele and his wife, Kim, Megan Fish, Johni Hamilton, Hether Hamilton, Ali Hamilton/Fitzpatrick and her husband, Kief; his stepchildren, Leslie Parks and her husband Larry, John White, Annjila Boggs, Bryan Boggs and his wife Mandy; 38 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; his brother, Ed L. Hamilton; his sisters, Margaret A Schmit, and her husband, Dennis; and Kathy M. Squires; as well as his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a magnitude of friends. John is preceded in death by his father, Merlin; his mother, Margaret; and his brother, “Kit;” and two of his dear friends, Leonard Bullock, and Timmy Wiese.
John was a wonderful man that is loved, will be dearly missed, and always be cherished by all who knew him. Purple Haze.
There will be a graveside military honor guard service held at the Newport cemetery on Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. It will be followed by a celebration of life at the Plant Man Garden Center right next to Audrey’s Restaurant.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations please be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America.