John Travis Hamilton

February 26, 1966 - September 5, 2019

John Travis Hamilton passed away September 5, 2019, at the age of 53.

John was born on February 26, 1966, in Uvalde, Texas to Wayne Travis and Marie Margaret (Berardesco) Hamilton. His father worked as a senior lecturer until his recent retirement from TAMU. His mother is a retired real estate agent. John lived in Uvalde with his older sister Karen, until the age of ten when he moved with his family to Bryan in August of 1976. Growing up, John played Little League baseball, soccer, and ran track. He developed a passion for skateboarding. During his teen years, John loved playing his drum set in his band, as well as the Bryan High band. He also enjoyed building models, music, cars and windsurfing. A special high school girlfriend is Kathryn Aycock-Paulson, whom he reunited with in the last two years. After graduating from BHS in 1984, he went on to attend Texas A&M for a year, where he studied architecture.

John previously worked in the IT department for LD Systems in Houston for several years. While there he worked with a team to setup a digital area at BP to monitor the oil spill. More recently he worked for Backstage Sound and Lighting where he was involved in the restructuring of the sound system at Reed Arena. This job was a good fit for him with his love of music and performing. John was in several bands including "The Syndrome," "The Change," and "Hadden Sayers Band" with whom he toured the US and Europe. One of his most prized possessions was his Fender guitar. When he wasn't busy working or performing, John enjoyed hunting, fishing and working at the Hamilton Ranch and being on the tractor.

The most important thing in John's life was his family. He was so proud of his children, Austin Travis Hamilton and Sydney Michelle Hamilton. He loved them dearly and counted the days they were born to be his very best. He enjoyed getting together for Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Hamilton Ranch with the whole family. He loved it when he was lucky enough to have his mom make her famous "big macs," a family recipe for tomato sauce and ziti macaroni.

John was a very outgoing person who loved life. His kind heart resulted in many close friendships over the years. He greeted people with a casual "how ya doin'?" He genuinely loved people and wanted to talk to everyone he met.

John leaves behind his son Austin Travis Hamilton, 16 and Sydney Michelle, 13 both of Phoenix, Arizona, his parents Wayne Travis and Marie Margaret Hamilton of Bryan, his sister and brother-in-law Karen and Gary Turner of Tyler, his niece Lindsay Gasper and her husband Michael and their children Peyton and Bryce of Aubrey, his nephew Kyle Turner and his fiancé Jillian Wilson of Henderson, and his niece Christin Turner of Carrollton.

To honor John's life, his family has planned a visitation on Thursday, September 12 from 5-8 at Hillier Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, September 13, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 10 AM, followed by burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery at 11.

Please visit John's tribute page at www.hillierfuneralhome.com to share memories and stories.