Gordon Ernest Hamilton

1932 - 2015

Gordon Ernest Hamilton, 83, passed away peacefully after a prolonged illness, surrounded by family at his son David's home in Missoula, Montana, on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015.

Gordon was born on Jan. 28, 1932, in Colville to Benjamin Alfred and Della Mae (Koerner) Hamilton. He was the oldest child, followed by three sisters. Gordon grew up in Colville and graduated from Colville Senior High in 1950. He served in the Army for two years, including a tour in Korea. He was recruited as a tank driver, but chose to train as a power plant operator because of the career opportunities available later. 

Once out of the military, he returned to Colville where he met Mary Janette Roeder. They were married on June 17, 1955 at Rice, in a double ceremony with Mary's twin sister, Rebecca Jane Roeder and Leroy Albert Hotchkiss of Colville.

Gordon and Mary made their home in Spokane, where they raised four children. Gordon worked at the school district while finishing his Boiler Operator certification, and went on to work as a journeyman electrician, boiler operator, and operating engineer at Darigold Processing Plant in Spokane for 33 years.

Gordon was a dedicated family man, a lay leader in the Free Methodist Church, and active in his community as a union shop steward, 7th degree member of the Fertile Valley Grange, 4-H Leader, and board member at Free Methodist Credit Union in Spokane. Gordon loved spending time with family and friends outdoors, camping, motorcycling, hiking, and singing old gospel songs around the campfire.

After retiring in 1993, Gordon and Mary volunteered as hosts at Camp Sanders in Tensed, Idaho, where Gordon and his family had attended summer camps since his childhood. They enjoyed visiting family and camping in their RV, a favorite haven for grandkids and others to spend time with grandpa and enjoy some ice cream, a habit left from all that time at Darigold. Gordon will be remembered for his integrity, generosity and care for his family and friends.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents and grandmother, Ida Estella Shaw.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Hamilton; his sons, David (Rebecca) Hamilton, Missoula, Montana; Doug (Karen) Hamilton, Seattle; Dale (Leslie) Hamilton, Caldwell, Idaho, and his daughter, Danette (Mark) Gaetke, Reno, Nevada; his sisters, Irene (Jim) Erdman, Colville; Carol Currier, Gresham, Oregon, and Shirley (Dave) Eide, Spokane, and 11 grandchildren, Heather (Patrick) Otieno, Andrew Hamilton, Daniel Hamilton, Aaron Hamilton, Benjamin Gaetke, Joshua (Megan) Hamilton, Timothy Gaetke, Jonathan Hamilton, Nicholas Hamilton, Michelle Gaetke, and Annalisa Hamilton.

Gordon's memorial service is planned for 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28 at First Free Methodist Church in Spokane.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Sanders Christian Camp, 11321 Sanders Rd, Tensed, ID 83870.