Bart F. Hamilton Jr.

Bart F. Hamilton Jr., 81, of Roanoke, Va., went home to be with the Lord Friday, November 20, 2009. He was preceded in death by his father, Bart F. Hamilton, Sr., mother, Agnes Hamilton and sister, Mae Ayers. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Frances Hamilton; sister, Agnes Hamilton; daughter, Darlene Derrow (husband, Mickey); son, Tommy Hamilton (wife, Karen); daughter, Carol Bowles (husband, Sandy), of Roanoke; son, Larry Hamilton (wife, Vici), of Vestavia Hills, Ala.; grandchildren, Jerold Tear (wife, Stephanie), Robin Barrett (husband, Ralph), Sonia Orahood (husband, Scott), John Tear (wife, Stacey), Bryan, Matthew and Amanda Hamilton, Greg Krista (wife Jessica), Michele Whitenack, Brad (wife, Joanna) and Michael Hamilton (wife, Alice); great-grandchildren, Tony, Kayli and Bailey Tear, Britney, Zachary and Jacob Barrett, Cassandra and Isaac Orahood, Isabella, Dylan and Penelope Tear, Kilana and Arianna Krista, Kaden, Kyleigh and Kohen Whitenack; and stepgrandchildren, Sandy (wife Kristie) and Brett Bowles (wife Gina), and Shanin Baker (husband Dan); step great-grandchildren, Joshua, Seth, Derek and Kayla Bowles, and Bert and Abbie Baker. Bart was a faithful member of Penn Forest Christian Church. A graduate of Jefferson High School, he served in the United States Army and was retired from the United States Postal Service and the Roanoke County School system. One of his greatest pleasures in life was to watch all of his children and grandchildren participate in sports. The family will receive friends on Monday, November 23, 2009 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakey's South Chapel. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 12 noon at Oakey's South Chapel, with interment following at Sherwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society. The family sends a special thank you to the staff of Salem Health and Rehab for the loving care during his stay.