1919
Claude
2007
Claude Hayden Hamilton, Jr.
December 5, 1919 — February 17, 2007
HARLINGEN:
Claude Hayden Hamilton, Jr., age 87, went to be with our Lord, Saturday morning, February 17 at his residence, Golden Palms Retirement Community, where he has lived for the past twenty years. C. H. was born December 5, 1919, in Marlin, TX, the only child of Claude Hayden and Aline Arnett Hamilton. C. H. moved to Harlingen in 1924 with his parents and was active all his life in the First Baptist Church. He graduated from Harlingen High School in 1937, and from Baylor University in 1941 earning a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with a major in Accounting.
Following graduation, he went to work in the Harlingen office of Aikman, Griffin and Mothershead, Certified Public Accountants. By the end of that year, the United States had become involved in WWII and C. H. desiring to do his part, joined the United States Naval Reserve as an Ensign in the Supply Corps. He did tours of duty as Supply Officer with the 37th Construction Battalion (Seabees) in the South Pacific and as Disbursing Officer for Enlisted Men’s Pay Accounts at the Naval Air Training Station, Pensacola, Florida. In October of 1944 while stationed in Pensacola, he married Dorothy Lynn Berry of Gilmer, Texas, whom he had met while in Baylor University.
After release from active duty in the Navy, C. H. returned to Harlingen, January 1, 1946, and to his former firm. He practiced public accounting for the next 39 years, most of which he was managing partner of the firm, Mothershead, Hamilton, Day & Mayo. After his “first” retirement in 1985, he continued doing tax work for some clients until 2005.
C. H. was always committed to serving his profession, community and church. He was president of the Valley Chapter of Certified Public Accountants in 1955 when it hosted the annual convention of The Texas Society of Public Accountants in Brownsville; was a Life Member of the Texas Society of C.P.A.’s for which he had served as a vice-president; served on the Advisory Boards for the Schools of Business at Pan American University and Baylor University. He served on the Harlingen Industrial Development Foundation; was chairman of the United Way; was treasurer of the Fund Raising Committee for several of the building additions to Valley Baptist Medical Center; served as a member of the board of directors of the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce; was a member of the Lion’s Club and later as a member of the Kiwanis Club, serving as its president. For fifteen years, he was treasurer of the Bronco Little League Baseball. Harlingen Jaycees honored him as Boss of the Year for 1974-75. At First Baptist Church, he served as a Deacon for 60 years and as chairman of Deacons for two terms; served on the church’s Finance and Budget Committee many years; directed the Youth Department in Sunday School; and for seven years was Director of Sunday School. He also served two terms as a trustee of the Southern Baptist Annuity Board.
C.H. loved a good game of bridge and enjoyed gardening, having a special talent for growing things. He was very involved in his children’s activities when they were growing up and, later, enjoyed traveling the world with his family and friends. Those who knew him will miss his kindness, the twinkle in his handsome blue eyes, sparkling personality, sweet nature, sense of humor and his caring and generous support of those in need.
C. H. was a beloved husband, father, uncle, and friend to many. He is survived by his wife Lynn of sixty-two years; daughter Karen and husband Leonard Huber of Spicewood, TX; sons, Hayden and wife Elaine Hamilton of Bonsall, CA, Berry and wife Keigh Hamilton of Atlanta, GA, Don and wife Jamie Hamilton of Okemos, MI. Grandsons are John Abbott III of Austin, TX, Luke Abbott of Los Angeles, CA, Lofton and Sawyer Hamilton of Okemos, MI, granddaughters Ashli Hamilton of Atlanta, GA, and Caroline Hamilton of Okemos.
Heart felt thanks and appreciation are extended to Dr. Todd Shenkenberg, Dr. Seth Patterson and Family Practice, Chaplain David Mann and the Staff at Golden Palms Retirement Community, Rev. Chris Hall and friends at First Baptist Church and all those who helped to make his life pleasant and comfortable during the past two years.
The memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Harlingen, Texas, on Sunday, February 25, at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow in the fellowship Hall at the First Baptist Church from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Honorary pallbearers are Deacons of the First Baptist Church and Partners of his C.P.A. firms. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202, or the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, 501 E. Van Buren, Harlingen, TX 78550. You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.buck-ashcraft.com. Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Claude Hayden Hamilton, Jr., age 87, went to be with our Lord, Saturday morning, February 17 at his residence, Golden Palms Retirement Community, where he has lived for the past twenty years. C. H. was born December 5, 1919, in Marlin, TX, the only child of Claude Hayden and Aline Arnett Hamilton. C. H. moved to Harlingen in 1924 with his parents and was active all his life in the First Baptist Church. He graduated from Harlingen High School in 1937, and from Baylor University in 1941 earning a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with a major in Accounting.
Following graduation, he went to work in the Harlingen office of Aikman, Griffin and Mothershead, Certified Public Accountants. By the end of that year, the United States had become involved in WWII and C. H. desiring to do his part, joined the United States Naval Reserve as an Ensign in the Supply Corps. He did tours of duty as Supply Officer with the 37th Construction Battalion (Seabees) in the South Pacific and as Disbursing Officer for Enlisted Men’s Pay Accounts at the Naval Air Training Station, Pensacola, Florida. In October of 1944 while stationed in Pensacola, he married Dorothy Lynn Berry of Gilmer, Texas, whom he had met while in Baylor University.
After release from active duty in the Navy, C. H. returned to Harlingen, January 1, 1946, and to his former firm. He practiced public accounting for the next 39 years, most of which he was managing partner of the firm, Mothershead, Hamilton, Day & Mayo. After his “first” retirement in 1985, he continued doing tax work for some clients until 2005.
C. H. was always committed to serving his profession, community and church. He was president of the Valley Chapter of Certified Public Accountants in 1955 when it hosted the annual convention of The Texas Society of Public Accountants in Brownsville; was a Life Member of the Texas Society of C.P.A.’s for which he had served as a vice-president; served on the Advisory Boards for the Schools of Business at Pan American University and Baylor University. He served on the Harlingen Industrial Development Foundation; was chairman of the United Way; was treasurer of the Fund Raising Committee for several of the building additions to Valley Baptist Medical Center; served as a member of the board of directors of the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce; was a member of the Lion’s Club and later as a member of the Kiwanis Club, serving as its president. For fifteen years, he was treasurer of the Bronco Little League Baseball. Harlingen Jaycees honored him as Boss of the Year for 1974-75. At First Baptist Church, he served as a Deacon for 60 years and as chairman of Deacons for two terms; served on the church’s Finance and Budget Committee many years; directed the Youth Department in Sunday School; and for seven years was Director of Sunday School. He also served two terms as a trustee of the Southern Baptist Annuity Board.
C.H. loved a good game of bridge and enjoyed gardening, having a special talent for growing things. He was very involved in his children’s activities when they were growing up and, later, enjoyed traveling the world with his family and friends. Those who knew him will miss his kindness, the twinkle in his handsome blue eyes, sparkling personality, sweet nature, sense of humor and his caring and generous support of those in need.
C. H. was a beloved husband, father, uncle, and friend to many. He is survived by his wife Lynn of sixty-two years; daughter Karen and husband Leonard Huber of Spicewood, TX; sons, Hayden and wife Elaine Hamilton of Bonsall, CA, Berry and wife Keigh Hamilton of Atlanta, GA, Don and wife Jamie Hamilton of Okemos, MI. Grandsons are John Abbott III of Austin, TX, Luke Abbott of Los Angeles, CA, Lofton and Sawyer Hamilton of Okemos, MI, granddaughters Ashli Hamilton of Atlanta, GA, and Caroline Hamilton of Okemos.
Heart felt thanks and appreciation are extended to Dr. Todd Shenkenberg, Dr. Seth Patterson and Family Practice, Chaplain David Mann and the Staff at Golden Palms Retirement Community, Rev. Chris Hall and friends at First Baptist Church and all those who helped to make his life pleasant and comfortable during the past two years.
The memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Harlingen, Texas, on Sunday, February 25, at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow in the fellowship Hall at the First Baptist Church from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Honorary pallbearers are Deacons of the First Baptist Church and Partners of his C.P.A. firms. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202, or the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, 501 E. Van Buren, Harlingen, TX 78550. You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.buck-ashcraft.com. Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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