Christopher Hamilton

Christopher Stanley Hamilton, 73, of Flint Township passed away on March 1, 2020.

Chris is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Joyce Hamilton, son David Hamilton (fiancée Beth), daughter Lori Melton, grandson Isaac, brother Dr. Frederick (Carla) Hamilton, nephews and nieces Jonathan Hamilton, Jennifer Hamilton (fiancé Rob), Christine (Terry) Blake, Harrison Hamilton, Mason Hamilton, and Alexandra Hamilton, and great nephews, Tait, Broderick and William.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Stanley and Ruth Hamilton, and brother Theodore (Teddy) Hamilton.

He was an active member of the Linden Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Lincoln Park United Methodist Church.

Chris graduated from Linden High School in 1964. He was the only football player in Linden history to earn All-American honors. He was inducted into the Linden High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Chris attended Purdue University on a full football scholarship. Chris was a member of the 1966 Rose Bowl winning team.  The Rose Bowl Game was played on January 1, 1967. This was the only team in Boilermaker history to win the Rose Bowl. He was also a member of the 1967 team that won the Big Ten Championship. Chris graduated from Purdue University in 1968.

Chris and his brothers were heavily involved in the Boy Scouts throughout their youth. Chris earned the title of Eagle Scout in 1962. As an adult he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award in 1999. It is the highest-ranking award for adult volunteer Scouts. He received the Jack A. Hamady Good Scout Award in 2011 for his years of work improving the quality of life for people in the community.

Chris retired from Delphi East as a General Supervisor in 2007 after 33 years of service. While there he served as Explorer Advisor for Post 651 from 1997-1999. He volunteered with the Tall Pine Council Golf Committee for over 20 years and was a Friends of Scouting captain from 1987 to 1997.

Chris became involved with The Old News Boys of Flint in the 1970s. He became the Executive Director of The Old Newsboys in 2008. The Old Newsboys have provided clothing and toys for hundreds of thousands of Flint-area children at Christmastime since 1924, as well as disaster relief for families. He worked tirelessly throughout the year to make sure "No child is forgotten."

Chris belonged to multiple chambers and organizations including The Burton Rotary Club, Flint Elks, The Burton Eagles, The Free and Accepted Masons and The Burton Chamber of Commerce.

Chris loved his community beyond measure and served the people of his community in any way he felt he was needed. What ultimately meant the most to Chris however was his beloved wife and children. He loved spending time with them at their cabin in Northern Michigan boating and fishing. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend.

As an avid supporter of the Flint Firebird franchise Chris loved taking his son and grandson to Firebird games.

The entire Hamilton family would like to personally extend our deepest gratitude to our beloved Newsboys. We want to thank Chris’s special staff members Lisa Kirk and Heather McMullen of the Old Newsboys. We want to thank the board, the volunteers, and anybody throughout the years that has ever supported The Old Newsboys of Flint. We cannot convey strongly enough what The Old Newsboys meant to Chris and how much meaning you all brought to his life.

We will always remember Chris laughing, joking, smiling, and being eternally inquisitive. Probably his favorite question of all was, "Are you a Turtle?" All the Turtles either here or beyond will know the answer.

Chris leaves a legacy of love and cherished memories to his family, his friends, and the countless number of people he touched throughout his extraordinary and amazing life. We will carry in our hearts the enduring love, the indomitable spirit, and the boundless generosity of our precious Chris now and forever.

Funeral services will be held 1 PM Saturday, March 7 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek. Burial in Fairview Cemetery, Linden. Visitation will be 2-8 PM Friday where a Masonic Service will be held at 7PM. Visitation will also be 11 AM Saturday until time of service at the funeral home.

There will be a candlelight vigil to honor Chris at 6 PM Sunday, March 8 at the Old Newsboys building, 6255 Taylor Drive, Flint.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chris’ honor to Old Newsboys of Flint.

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.