Lawrence D. "Larry" Hamilton

Lawrence Darold “Larry” Hamilton, age 92, of Kruse Memorial Lutheran Village in Brenham, TX and formerly of Point Comfort, TX and St. Louis, MO, passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2010. He was born in East St. Louis, IL on February 21, 1917 to Nellie Maude Embry Hamilton and Henry Hamilton.

Larry served as a Master Sergeant in the Army during World War II, seeing action in the Battle of the Bulge and receiving three Bronze Stars. After returning from military service, he married his sweetheart, Dorothy Louise “Dot” Bratton, on January 25, 1946, creating a family of three children, son William Larry “Bill” Hamilton of Houston, TX, and two daughters, Linda Carol Hamilton (Newton) of Brenham, TX and Kathleen Kay Hamilton (Mitchamore) of Leander, TX. Lawrence and Dorothy Hamilton were married for 46 years, before her death on September 16, 1992 at age 78. Larry retired as an electrical foreman after 43 years with Alcoa in Point Comfort, TX. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and held various offices, serving as National Deputy Chief of Staff (1968-69) and commander of VFW post 4403 in Port Lavaca, TX. Larry and Dot enjoyed many years together at VFW functions all over Texas.

In addition to wife Dorothy Hamilton, Larry was preceded in death by his parents; his younger brother Robert “Bob” Hamilton and sister-in-law Edith of Caseyville, IL; his sisters, Dorothy Hamilton Ferrick of O'Fallon, IL and Charlene Clouse Farley and husband Don of Kissimmee, FL; brother Edwin “Boots” Clouse of Okawville, IL; and by infant grandson Paul Ellis Newton.

In addition to his three surviving children to cherish his memory, Larry leaves sister Marjorie May McCauley of Kruse Village; daughter-in-law, Glenda Hamilton; sons-in-law Buddy Mitchamore and Ken Newton; and nine grandchildren: Christopher Hamilton and wife, Laura, of Los Alamos, New Mexico; Debra Pinzon-Hamilton and husband Carlos Pinzon of San Francisco; Michael Hamilton and wife Tara, of Austin; Cristine Mitchamore of San Antonio; Emery “Trois” Mitchamore III of Austin; Dorothy “Beth” Kragie and husband Ken of Copperas Cove, TX; Alex Newton and wife Kathryn Irene of Denton; Matt Newton and wife Bethany of Dallas; and Kathryn Louise Newton of Austin. Larry is also survived by eight great-grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends all over the United States.

A memorial service is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., Sunday, January 24, 2010 at the Kruse Village chapel located at 1700 East Stone St., Brenham, TX. Rev. Dr. David Meriwether will officiate.

Graveside service and burial are scheduled for Monday, January 25, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77038-1502. Rev. Dr. David Meriwether is officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Larry Hamilton may be made to the Brazos Valley Hospice, 302 E. Blue Bell Rd., Brenham, TX 77833 or to a charity of your choice.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer Street, Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com