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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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James Hamilton
JAMES M. HAMILTON
Cedar Rapids
James M. Hamilton, 89, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, at Northbrook Manor Care Center. Services at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Church on Northland. Burial at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from
1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and at the church after 1 p.m. Sunday.
Survivors include two sons, Thomas (Maria) of Cedar Rapids and Mark (Karen) of Placitas, N.M.; and a brother, William (Ursula) of Rock Island, Ill. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Joshua, David, Rachel, Ben, Jim, Michael and Sam; and two great-grandchildren, Ivory and Jackson.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lavonne; parents; a daughter, Geri Feltz; and a brother, John.
Jim was born on March 25, 1926, in Cedar Rapids, the son of William and Grace Stolba Hamilton. He graduated from Marion High School in 1945. Jim served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He served on the battleship, USS Massachusetts, during World War II as a refrigeration technician keeping powder for the big guns dry. He said they liked his performance so much the Navy called him back for the Korean War, where he served on the destroyer, USS Thompson.
He married Lavonne Garrett on April 17, 1949, in Marion. Lavonne passed away in 2011. Jim worked as a Cedar Rapids firefighter for 30 years, serving in various locations throughout the city and attaining the rank of lieutenant before retiring in 1985.
Jim was a longtime member of First Baptist Church/Church of the Brethren (The Church on Northland). He loved to share his experiences in the Navy and firefighting with everyone. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He greatly enjoyed the coffee and conversation with his buddies at Hy-Vee.
"The family wishes to express a special thank you to the staff of Northbrook Manor for their care and comfort."
Please leave a message or tribute to the Hamilton family on the website, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.
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