Richard L. Hamilton

Richard Lee Hamilton, 82, of Galveston passed away peacefully at 12:18 a.m. Friday, October 20, 2023 at Howard Community Hospital in Kokomo. Born September 27, 1941 to Clyde and Esther Hamilton, Richard was a determined, hard-working individual from the start. He joined the Marines at age 17 and proudly boxed Golden Gloves while in the Marine Corps.  After four years, he returned to finish high school at Kokomo High School in 1963 where he met his life-long love, Patricia, marrying her on July 3, 1965. In 1966, he re-enlisted in the Marines, serving 14 months in Vietnam as a Platoon Sergeant with the 3/26 Marines India Company in and around Con Thien, receiving a Purple Heart. After his time with the Marines, he returned to Kokomo where he worked at Continental Steel and Chrysler for more than 40 years.

Richard lived a fulfilling life of outstanding accomplishments. He was a dedicated Marine, friend, husband, father and grandfather. When he was not working, he was attending a swim meet, football game, band competition, or baseball game supporting his children and grandchildren. He loved vacationing with his family and traveling the country to spend time with his fellow Marine Corps veterans. He recently was honored with fellow Purple Heart recipients on the Honor Flight for Veterans, flying to Washington D.C. and enjoying camaraderie of other military friends in August of 2023.

Richard is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Hamilton, his sister, Shirley Smith of Danville, IL, and his 3 daughters: Heather (Ken) Diaz, Galveston, IN; Melainie (Matt) Hardin, Kokomo, IN; and Megan (Walter) Bennett, Roann, IN. He was blessed with 11 grandchildren: surviving grandchildren - Jordan (Emerson) Bowling, Salt Lake City, UT; Brynna Diaz, Kokomo, IN; Hallie Diaz, Galveston, IN; Cody Hardin and fiancé Cassidy, Virgina Beach, VA; Brooke Hardin, Indianapolis, IN; Maison Hardin, Muncie, IN; and Cale Bennett, Evan Bennett, Beau Bennett, and Chloe Bennett, Roann, IN. He has three surviving nieces and one surviving nephew.

He was preceded in death by his son, Heath Hamilton, his grandson, Cameron Diaz, his sister, Carolyn Davenport, and his parents.  Services to honor Richard will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 2pm at Murray-Weaver Funeral Home, Galveston. Visitation will be held from 12pm-2pm.  Memorial contributions in Richard’s name can be made to the Purple Heart Foundation at https://purpleheartfoundation.org/donate/ .

“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down, we will have a house in Heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing.” II Corinthians 5:1-2.

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