John Bruce Hamilton

John Bruce Hamilton

March 15, 1942 – September 7, 2025

John Bruce Hamilton, 83, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 7, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on March 15, 1942, John spent his early years exploring the outdoors with his cocker spaniel “Cookie.” In his teens, he discovered a passion for cars and racing while working at Rollins Machine Shop. John attended Del Mar College and studied machine shop methods and practices. His early love of machinery grew into a lifelong career as a machinist. He was well respected for his skill, dedication, and strong work ethic.

A devoted family man, John married his wife Marilyn in 1966 and together they shared over 59 years of marriage filled with devotion, laughter, and countless memories. He was an amazing father to his three daughters—Beverly, Susanne, and Sharon. He coached softball, built treehouses, and taught driving lessons. With other parents, he helped establish the West Brazos Girls Softball League so his daughters and many others could play. Later, as a grandfather, he found immense joy in his grandchildren, Alexander and Katelyn. He loved taking them to the hunting lease, ensuring they had their own 4-wheelers before kindergarten, and passing down his love for the outdoors.

An avid outdoorsman, John enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting, and riding 4-wheelers in the Texas hill country with his buddies. John enjoyed watching wrestling, the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans football teams and he loved his Houston Astros. He also adored his “adopted daughter,” Annie the cat, who became his favorite companion in later years.

John is survived by his beloved wife Marilyn; daughters Beverly Vrazel (Woodford), Sharon Hamilton (Cesar), and Susanne Hamilton; grandchildren Alexander and Katelyn; and his faithful cat Annie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Hamilton Jr. (a World War II veteran) and Edith Rollins Hamilton; his brothers, Robert Hamilton III and David Hamilton; and his nephews Tom Hamilton and Gene Hamilton.

John will be remembered for his quiet strength, unwavering love for family, humor, and adventurous spirit. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at C.T. Baker & Sons Funeral Home in West Columbia, Texas on Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 1-3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree in John's name