Brett Kelly HAMILTON

1969 - 2015

HAMILTON, Brett Kelly Brett Kelly Hamilton, 46, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 19, 2015. Mr. Hamilton was born in Atlanta and was a graduate of Grady High School in Atlanta and Centre College in Danville, KY, where he majored in mathematics and physics. He worked as an actuary and financial analyst in the healthcare industry in Texas, Kentucky and Atlanta. Throughout his life and in the face of formidable health challenges, Brett maintained an open, generous heart, a patient and gentle spirit, and a witty sense of humor. Compassionate, thoughtful and mannerly, he treasured his time with his children, a driving force in his life. He loved whipping up a mean Mac n' Cheese with his daughter Ansley and building elaborate Lego constructions with his son Rafe. He was an indomitable board game master and quiet intellect who taught his children the importance of fair play and relished helping them with their science projects and math assignments. He played classical guitar, was an enthusiastic cook and volunteered his time and efforts to those less fortunate. He helped construct a clinic in Ghana, studied Spanish in Guatemala, volunteered to assist Alzheimer's patients and to tutor at risk children in Lexington, KY, as well as athletes at the University of Kentucky. In college, he joined Phi Kappa Tau, Delta Chapter, and, with his friends, enjoyed caving trips, watching thunderstorms and debating the big stuff. Recently, he traveled extensively in Europe, accompanying his beloved in her professional activities in the cause of social justice. Mr. Hamilton endured multiple surgeries and therapies in pursuit of his health after being diagnosed with a rare, nonmalignant brain tumor in 2000. Despite the wearying regimens and setbacks, he maintained his work schedule until no longer able. He kept a quiet inner strength, a loving kindness and faithful optimism, rallying time and time again against the odds. It is believed he died of a massive seizure from which he could not be revived. A devoted and loving father, he is survived by his children Ansley, 14 and Rafe, 11, his beloved soul mate Isabel Wilkerson, his sister, Lisa, an artist in Brooklyn, NY, and his parents, John and Nancy. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 8th at 2:00pm at Morningside Presbyterian Church, 1411 N Morningside Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, www.morningsidepc.org/ Condolences may be sent to: Isabel and Nancy & John Hamilton, 1126 Los Angeles Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306. Gifts may be made in memory of Brett to the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia, www.epilepsyga.org or Good Samaritan Health Center, 1015 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW., Atlanta, GA 30318 http://www.goodsamatlanta.org/