02/04/2008
James Elliott Hamilton
A Celebration of Life for Jim Hamilton will
be held on Saturday, February 16, 2008, at the Society of Italian Americans Hall,
1801 McKinley Avenue, Des Moines, IA, beginning at 5 p.m. After a four-year battle
with cancer, Jim passed away on February 4, 2008.
Jim was born on November 5, 1940
in Knoxville, Iowa to William and Ethel Hamilton. He graduated from Knoxville High
School and attended Kemper Military Academy in Booneville, Missouri. He began his
career with Iowa Power in 1960 and retired in August 2004 as the Senior Line crew
Foreman for MidAmerican Energy.
He was a member of IBEW Local 499 and served on
the Executive Board for 14 years. He served on the Advisory Board of the International
Lineman's Rodeo Association for 18 years and was the Master Judge for the event
held in Kansas City each fall. Jim was a member of the H.O.G. clubs in Des Moines
and Indianola and a member of ABATE.
In 1960, Jim married Ruth Hanson and they had
two children, Brenda and Steve. Jim was active in Boy Scouts, camping, canoeing
, and a volunteer member of the Camping Services Committee with Girl Scouts, Moingona
Council. He was the fun-loving uncle to numerous nieces and nephews and remained
close friends with Ruth and her family throughout his life.
Jim is survived by his
wife, Evelyn Morgan; son, Steve (Lori) of Viera, Florida; daughter, Brenda Hamilton
of Des Moines, and grandson, Logan Jones of Altoona. He was preceded in death by
his parents, brother-in-law, J.P. Morgan, and his mother-in-law, Marguerite Morgan,
all of Knoxville. Jim loved his job and his friends. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and motorcycling.
Jim and Evelyn also enjoyed their Springer
Spaniels, Magic, and Star, whether they were hunting, swimming in a Canadian lake
, or asleep in front of the TV. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be
directed to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa or Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa Camp
Program. Committal services of the cremains will be at Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville,
Iowa in the spring.
Ride safe, Hambone.