Donald Carl Hamill Jr

Donald Carl Hamill Jr. ("Carl"), 93, of Durham, NC passed away at home early Wednesday morning, March 18, 2026. Carl was born on April 23, 1932, the son of Donald Carl Hamill, Sr. and Edith Clancy Hamill, in Pekin, NY, a small town near Niagra Falls, NY. He was pre-deceased by his younger brother James W. Hamill of Palm Springs, CA.

Carl attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on an ROTC scholarship and graduated in 1954 with a BS in Management and Mechanical Engineering and recently celebrated his 70th college reunion. Carl made his career in the photofinishing business starting out as a junior industrial engineer at Eastman Kodak in Rochester NY and retired as President and CEO of Qualex, the largest photo processing company in the country headquartered in Durham, NC.

Carl was active in business and community affairs including board seats of the United Methodist Retirement Homes, Durham Academy, Fuqua Industries, the YMCA, Durham Arts Council and the Durham Wachovia Bank. He was also a member of the Durham Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member of Epworth Methodist Church and regularly participated in church activities including chair of the finance and membership committees.

Carl and his wife, Sue, traveled extensively during their working years and enjoyed spending time at their homes in Caswell Beach NC and Naples FL where they regularly entertained friends and family, especially during retirement.

Carl was a well-loved and highly respected man who enjoyed spending time with his wife, friends, children, grandchildren and great-grandchild especially during their annual family vacation at Caswell Beach. He will be remembered lovingly for his kindness, humility, intelligence, and good humor.

Carl is survived by his devoted wife of 45 years, Sue Ann (Stovall) Hamill, 2 children – Jeffrey W. Hamill of Darien CT and his wife Susan Harrington Hamill and Susan Hamill Clark of Nashua NH. He also leaves 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild – Alex (Hamill) and Max Hagler and their daughter Ryan of Darien CT, William Clark of Cambridge, MA, Parker Hamill of NYC, Andrew Clark of Westford, MA, Hudson Hamill of Washington D.C. and Claire Clark of NYC.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at the Epworth Methodist Church on Thursday, March 26 at 2:00pm followed by a reception at Croasdaile Country Club. In Lieu of flowers, please donate to the Durham Nativity School, https//www.durhamnativity.org/.