Richard Edwin

Hamilton

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Richard Edwin Hamilton

Oct 31 1932 - Jul 28 2009

Richard Edwin Hamilton, age76, of Frisco, Texas, passed away on July 28, 2009. He was born in Portland, Oregon on October 31, 1932, the son of Cecil Hamilton and Dorothy Wankel Hamilton. He is survived by his wife of 49 years – the love of his life – Frances Burley Hamilton; his daughters Eva Lynn Hamilton and Robin Lee Hamilton, and his grandchildren Dana Brooks and Mark Anderson. Additionally, he is survived by his sister Jeanne McKichan and four nieces, of Portland, Oregon. He was a highly decorated fighter pilot whose career began after graduation from the University of Oregon in 1955, when he joined the United States Air Force. During his 33 year career, he served as a flight instructor, flew for the California Air National Guard, served in Vietnam with the 47th Tactical Fighter Squadron, conducted missile testing, served a second tour in Vietnam with the 53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, was a weapons instructor, a weapons/safety officer, a Base Commander at C.C.K., Taiwan, Director of 12th Air Force Safety, Air and Defense Attache in Lisbon, Portugal, and retired as Director of Air Force Attaches in Washington, D.C. He flew T-38’s, F-86 Sabre jets and F-4C Phantoms and maintained his love for flight and aircraft throughout his life. His career took him to Florida, California, Hawaii, Vietnam, Libya, Germany, Taiwan, Texas, Virginia, Portugal and Washington, D.C. Outside his military service, he ran a marathon, authored two books, contributed multiple articles to a variety of military chronicles, participated in the Texas Tech Living History Project, was a member of the Red River Valley River Rats Association, was a fabulous cook, an avid woodworker, a voracious reader, and remained passionate about our national security. He was also an animal lover who had a soft spot for rescuing unwanted dogs in need. He was an honorable and decent man who loved his country, his God, his family and his friends with intensity and passion his entire life. Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, July 31, 2009 at St. Phillip's Episcopal Church, 6400 Stonebrook Parkway, Frisco, Texas 75034 with Father Clay Lein presiding. Interment with full military honors will follow at Ridgeview West Memorial Park in Frisco. For anyone who would like to make a donation in his memory, his favorite charity was Stray Dog Inc., P.O. Box 1465, Gun Barrel City, Texas 75147, 903-479-3497 or www.straydog.org
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Memorials

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