Raymond L. Hamilton

1937 - 2018

Raymond L. Hamilton

Visalia - Raymond L. Hamilton took his first breath in heaven March 28, 2018 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease and recent onset of pneumonia.

Ray was born May 6, 1937 in Verden, Oklahoma the second son and middle child to Edward and Esther Hamilton. He attended Indian Reservation Schools and Verden High School.

Ray served the Navy during the end of the Korean Conflict and spent time in Australia and Japan, and his last duty station was Long Beach, CA. It was through a shipmate that he met his future wife, Renee Robbins. They were married in June, 1958. He was employed by Southern California Gas Company for 36 years as a Senior Technical Serviceman before retiring.

Ray loved outdoor activities and the family did a lot of water skiing and camping, but most of all, he loved golf. He was Past Master of Visalia-Mineral King Lodge #128. He was Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop #305, Past President of the Gas Company Rod & Gun Club, volunteered at the World Ag Expo for twenty years and involved in many community projects.

He is survived by his wife, Renee; daughter Raylene "Joy" Claiborne and husband, Tim; daughter Robin Harmonson and husband, Glen; son Rick and wife, Kelly; seven grandchildren, Ben Harmonson and wife, Brittney; Zac Harmonson and wife, Chelsea; Whitney Winter and wife, Cheri; Alex Hamilton, Brooke Hamilton, Luke Hamilton and Matthew Claiborne, and one great grandson, Logan Winter. Also surviving Ray are nephews Ed Hamilton, wife Kristi, daughter Caitlin and son Paden; nephew Sean Linthicum and niece Shelly Richey.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; brother Edward Hamilton; niece and her husband, Terri Lynn and Vernon Riedlin; sister, JoAnn Wishon and nephew Todd Linthicum.

The family has committed to honor his final desire that there be no services, and in honor of his memory they ask that friends and family give their support to the local communities he served for several decades.