Kenneth Roy “Ken” Hamilton, 83, passed away on July 4, 2025, in Beaumont, Texas.
A memorial service will be held to honor Ken on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, with a visitation beginning at 3:00 p.m.
He was born in Beaumont, Texas on November 9, 1941. He lived in Beaumont, graduating from South Park High School in 1960. He lived in Fredricksburg, having one of the first stores on Main Street. He drove eighteen wheelers before moving back to Beaumont where he began working with his family at Hamilton Lumber. He then met the love of his life, Sondra, at O’Neal’s in 1986 before moving to Orange, Texas, where they made a life together. He loved any and all flea markets, visiting and checking on people and running the roads. He deeply loved Jesus and making sure people were always getting the care they needed. In his down time, you could find him in his chair watching old westerns with either ginger snaps or a bowl of watermelon. Ken was known as “Papa” by his grandchildren and loved them all dearly. Some of the very best naps were taken on his chest with a good movie playing.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 37 years, Sondra Lea Hamilton; his son, Troy Hamilton; his parents, Kenneth E. Hamilton and Christine Fry Hamilton; and his brother, Richard Hamilton.
He is survived by his daughters, Melinda George and husband, Robert, Christine Durkin and husband, Richard (Diesel); his sons, Randy Small and wife, Hazel; and Craig Small and wife, Lori; his grandchildren, Cody Small, Cole Durkin and wife, Jenna, Justin Small and wife, Allison, Benjamin Adams and wife, Cynthia, Callie Burton and husband, Damon, Calah Adams, and Jon, Janey, and Julian Small; his great grandchildren, Aubrey Small, Maggie Burton, Milo Adams, and Isla, Elizabeth, and Ada Durkin; his brothers, Harold Hamilton and wife, Jenny, Roger Hamilton and wife, Ronnie, and David Hamilton and wife, Sue; and numerous other loving nieces, nephews, family members, and friends.
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