Name: Celebration of Life for Hamilton Hunter Jr.
Start: 2020-10-04T17:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-10-04T21:00:00.000Z
Location: Headwaters Park East in the open-air Lincoln Pavilion

HAMILTON HUNTER JR., passed away on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, in his home. Born on Dec. 1, 1924 in Rockford, Ill., he was the son of Hamilton W. and Denna Bernice (Bock -man) Hunter. Ham grad -uated from North Side High School in 1943 and immediately entered World War II. He became a right gunner on a B-29 Bomber named Sweetwater and was stationed on the island of Guam. Sweetwater completed all of her missions and flew protection over the USS Missouri during the signing of the Instrument of Surrender. For his service, he earned the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with three bronze stars, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal with three oak clusters among others. Following the war, he met a striking, raven-haired beauty named Joy at a dance in the Valencia Gardens and married her on Sept. 6, 1947. They supported, loved and challenged each other for 72 years until her passing on Sept. 11, 2019. Ham earned a Civil Engineering Degree from Purdue University and joined his father's business. He was a hard-working and accomplished businessman. He was embedded in the fabric of Fort Wayne and the surrounding area. Ham served as President of the Home Builders Association, founded Hamilton Hunter Builders, introduced the City of Fort Wayne to equipment-dug water taps, served on numerous boards and was a leader to many. He was a fixture at the downtown YMCA as a body-builder and playing full-court basketball until the age of 72. But it was his dedication, love and commitment to his wife and family that makes him an icon. Ham is survived by his children, Diane Laramore (Stephen Marra) of Indianapolis, Elizabeth (Stephen) Alter of Fort Wayne, Hamilton T. Hunter of Clinton, Tenn., and Holly Hunter (Jeffrey) Trier of Fort Wayne; nine grandchildren, Matthew (Emily), Nathan (Melissa), Megan (Shawn), Todd (Katie), Brooke, Kaitlyn (Andrew), Bradley, Hunter and Aidan; eight great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Hunter Hamilton of Fort Wayne, Nancy Randall of Hudson, Wis., Dorothy Smith of Elkhart, Ind.; and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Ham's life is from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, at Headwaters Park East in the open-air Lincoln Pavilion, 333 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne (IN 46802). Parking available at 210 Duck Street. Preferred Memorials may be made to YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne, Rotary Club of Fort Wayne, Junior Achievement or Hope Alive.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Fort Wayne Newspapers on Sep. 27, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Hamilton Hunter

12 Entries

Brian J. Pelkington

November 23, 2020

Ham was a fellow YMCA gym rat and he and the "Big Boys" would pick me to play basketball when I was in Junior High. What a thrill that was!

When we all got older, I always returned the favor and we won more than we lost :)

When I was 18, Ham gave me a summer job working at the Anthony apartments complex and I learned a lot from Ham. How to be on time, how to do good work, how to be fair and how to act in the "real world"

He will be missed..... and I think of him often.

Paul and Marta Hartman Jr

October 4, 2020

Our thoughts and prayers for the Ham Hunter family. Many great memories of all the home building construction through out the city.

Kathy Lauritsen (Kucher)

October 3, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Jim Eviston

October 1, 2020

I can hear the plates on an Olympic Weightlifting bar rattling in Heaven now!
Ham,Don Hall and Warren Eviston and other old-time downtown YMCA lifters having a great time!

Thom Bada

October 1, 2020

He was a gentleman and a pleasure to work with. He will be missed.

Jeff Baxter

September 28, 2020

Our sympathies on the loss of your father, grandfather, great grandfather and just a truly all around great man. I, personally, had the pleasure on working with Ham on many park building projects over the years and will always cherish those memories. He was a firm, fair, kind, and hilarious man!

Victor Zaderej

September 27, 2020

I will never forget the summer trips I took with the Hunters during high school! Our parents also had lake cottages on the same lake so summers were very special. Mr and Mrs Hunter were great people and close friends! Vic Zaderej

John Hogan

September 27, 2020

I had the privledge and honor of being Ham and Joy's neighbor for the last 9 years after moving in next door. There are too many memories to mention but Ham and Joy were great neighbors but more importantly dear, dear friends. I will greatly miss sitting with Ham in his garage, sharing our cocktail of choice a Coke andwatching the world go by on Stratford Rd and discussing world matters.
I will miss him dearly.

Marge Smithson

September 27, 2020

There are no words for the loss of this "fine funny man" Fond memories will have to do. My condolences to his entire family. He will be greatly missed.

Virginia Wyman

September 27, 2020

My sympathies to the family.
I was only a teenager working @ The Mettler/Nix Agency @ 221 E Berry St. It was sandwiched between the Hunter business & Saylor's Restaurant. My lady co-worker/I would watch all the 'good-looking' guys (Ham, the Fenker & Hoffmann boys & the workers from the telephone company) go by our front window on their way to Saylor's for their morning coffee. It made our day. "Thanks for the Memories."
Ginny Wyman
(A Distant Admirer)

Wayne Nash

September 26, 2020

We are so sorry for your loss of father, grandfather, and our friend Ham Hunter we will miss him. He was great man for all of us to honor. You are all in our prayers . We love you all Wayne Nash family and Ruth Reese family we all lost our loved ones.

Jim-Barb Lambert

September 21, 2020

My sympathies and condolences to the Hamilton's family and friends. Hamilton was a great friend of my parents back in the day going to South Side High School ball games and going out for supper. May he rest in peace and God bless. Jim Lambert

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