James Clair "Ham" Hamilton, 78, Buffalo, West Virginia, passed away in the hospice suite in the Holzer Medical Center. He was born and raised in Canonsburg, PA to the late C.B. and Doris Mountford Hamilton. James graduated from the Dunbar High School in 1961 and furthered his education by graduating from the West Virginia State University with a BS degree in Education and a Masters Plus from COGS with a degree in administration. He was drafted in the US Army and spent two years as a medic, which he dearly loved. James taught school for 30 1/2 years, most of those years at Richmond Elementary School in the Spring Hill section of South Charleston. He loved his students and only wanted the best for them.
He loved Ocracoke Island, camping at Lake Sherwood, helping his neighbors and friends. He loved his dogs. James loved working at Five Loaves Two Fish Food Pantry in Poca. He was a member of the Winfield Presbyterian Church and attended the First Presbyterian Church of Nitro. "Ham" was a man that "Loved Much and was Much Loved". He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 56 years, Betty Hammack Hamilton, daughter, Beth (Ray) Hamilton, of Cochiti Lake, NM, son, Chris Hamilton, of Buffalo and grandson, Will Hamilton, of Eleanor .James is also survived by his sister, Jean Dormo, of Bentleyville, PA, two brothers, Bob (Noreen) Hamilton, of Sarasota, FL and Don Hamilton, of Meadowsland, PA and other relatives and a host of friends.
At his request there will be no formal service, but a gathering of family and friends to celebrate his life will be held as a later date. Memorials may be made to the Five Loaves Two Fish Food Pantry, P.O. Box 9, Poca, West Virginia 25159 or the West Virginia ALS Association, P.O. Box 2792, Beckley, West Virginia 27821 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 1409th Street, Suite F, Santa Fe, NM 87505
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